Patricia (Patti) Ann Davison passed away peacefully on September 3, 2026 at the age of 65 in Buffalo, MN. She was born on September 5, 1960 in Cokato, Minnesota to Helmer and Verna Simonson, the youngest girl in the Simonson family of 12 children.
She fondly recalled these childhood days, living on the edge of town. Summer days were spent splashing in Sucker Creek, being mindful of the dropoff, with a salt shaker ready to get the leeches off the legs and feet. Many hours were spent biking around town with friends, often with money in their pockets for penny candy and comics at the local drugstore. They had to be home when the church bell rang at 6:00pm. This time of life also came with difficulty for a young Patti; her mother Verna passed away when Patti was just 12 years old.
After finishing her high school courses early in January of 1979, Patti moved with friends to Arizona, then to Seattle. Patti married Tim Davison in October of 1979. God blessed them with seven children; six sons and one daughter.
In 1992, daughter Sasha experienced a drowning accident and spent the remainder of her life needing care. Patti cared for her in their home for a period of time, one of which was customized to meet Sasha’s needs. On the wall of Sasha’s room, Patti, a gifted artist, painted the words, “For my dear child, I wish two things. To give you roots, to give you wings.” This phrase embodied Patti’s mothering style, finding it important to teach her children many things, including being grounded yet independent.
In 1999, Patti moved from Washington to Minnesota with her five youngest boys, in search of new temporal roots. She decorated cakes at the Wuollet bakery, and did bookkeeping for a landscaping company. With the encouragement of her sister Sandy, Patti started nursing school in 2003. She continued to support her boys and herself, while studying nursing in the evenings and weekends. She graduated with honors in 2006.
She worked as a Registered Nurse in Minnesota, Arizona, and Washington. Throughout her career, she served the inmates in the county jail, the elderly in care facilities and homes, and veterans at the VA.
Patti was known as Nana to her 56 grandchildren, and 5 great grandchildren. She loved gift giving, ensuring each grandchild received a candy bag at Christmas time, and each new grandbaby received a Christmas ornament the year they were born.
She had a passion for learning, and loved to delve deep into topics that interested her. Life’s many trials versed her in grief, and she quietly became a trusted resource for others to turn to in their times of need.
Although she endured many hardships and trials in her life, she always kept her sense of humor, even until her final days. She kept her family, friends, and grandchildren laughing.
Throughout her life, Patti found comfort in visits with family and friends, and most importantly, the simple, childlike faith and gospel she had been taught as a child.
She is survived by her children: Tyler (Janelle), Dustin (Andrea), Conor (Heather), Chet (Laura), Cole (Marleena), and Mick (Madeline), 56 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren. By siblings: Ron, Harley, Dale, Sandra, Karen, Maureen, Gary, Kent, Chris, as well as many nieces and nephews, cousins, godchildren, and friends. She is preceded in death by daughter Sasha, parents Helmer and Verna Simonson, step-mother Esther Simonson, siblings Mark, Wade, and Kevin.
A visitation will take place at the Laestadian Lutheran Church of Monticello, Minnesota, 1860 County Rd 39 NE, Monticello MN 55362 on Sunday, September 6, 2026 from 4:30 PM until 7:30 PM. There will be a prayer service starting at 6:30 PM.
Funeral Services will be held on Monday, September 7, 2026 at 10:30 AM with a visitation starting at 9:00 AM, at the Laestadian Lutheran Church of Monticello, Minnesota. Interment to follow at the Cokato Finnish Cemetery.