Sister Patrick Rose Elizabeth "Betty" Nichols, Congregation of St. Joseph, 90, died Sunday, December 18, 2011 at Avera McKennan Hospital, Sioux Falls, SD. Betty (Sr. Patrick) was born May 21, 1921 at Woodstock, MN to William H. and Alice (Kreager) Nichols. She graduated from Verdi High School in 1938. She graduated from Mankato State Teachers College in 1940 and taught grades 1 through 8 in country schools near Lake Benton, MN. Sr. Patrick entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet in St. Paul, MN in 1948 and took her final vows on August 15, 1953. She graduated from the College of St. Catherine in 1957 and received a Masters degree from Marquette University in 1964. Her ministry as a Catholic school teacher and administrator included schools Graceville, Le Center, Blessed Sacrament in St. Paul, St. Kevin's in Richfield, St. Helena's in Minneapolis and St. Michael's in Stillwater. In 1972, a sabbatical year in Brainerd led to a teaching position in the Brainerd Public School System which continued for twenty years. After retirement, Betty returned to Elkton to be near her sister Maxine and they enjoyed many years together and traveling together to many different places.

Sr. Patrick is survived by her sister, Maxine Nichols, Elkton; 6 nephews, Pat (Ann) Nichols, Blair, NE, Jim (Joyce) Nichols, Lake Benton, Bob (Renae) Nichols, Lake Benton, Tom (Dana) Nichols Plymouth, Steve (Stephany) Nichols, Lake Benton, Kelly (Cindy) Nichols, Marshall; 1 niece, Shelly (Jerry) Delaney, Lake Benton; many grand and great-grand nieces and nephews and the Sisters of St. Joseph, St. Paul, MN. She is preceded in death by her parents and brother, Morris "Mike" Nichols.


Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday, December 22, 2011 at 2:00 PM at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church, Elkton with burial at St. Mary's Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday from 5-7 PM at Skroch Funeral Chapel, Elkton with a Scripture Service at 7 PM.