Patricia A. Waters, 90, passed away on Sunday, December 22, 2024 at Ecumen Centennial House Memory Care in Apple Valley, MN.  She was born May 19, 1934, to the late Wayne and Ruth Tryon.  She grew up in Galesburg, IL with her older sister Marilyn.  She graduated from Galesburg High School in 1952.  Patricia attended Ottawa University in Ottawa, KS, where she met her future husband of 60 years, Edward Waters.  She graduated from Ottawa with a degree in Elementary Education in 1956.  Pat and Ed were married on August 26, 1956, and she worked as a teacher while Ed completed his senior year at Ottawa.  After his graduation in 1957, they moved to Bloomington, IN.  In the 4 years they lived there, they expanded their family with the birth of Steven Waters and Stacy (Waters) Knutson.  In 1962, they moved to Freeport, IL where they raised their family. Patricia was a member of Embury United Methodist Church, where she was active in the Chancel Choir for decades.  Once her children were older, Pat returned to her love of educating elementary school children, working as a reading specialist at Blackhawk Elementary school in Freeport. For fun, Pat enjoyed sewing, reading, golfing with friends and socializing with the sailing club at Lake Summerset.  After retirement, Pat and Ed enjoyed traveling, visiting all 50 states along with trips to Canada and Europe.

Patricia is survived by her son Steven (Cara) Waters of Apple Valley, MN; daughter Stacy (Chad) Knutson of Brookfield, WI; her four grandchildren Katie Waters, Brian (Tone) Waters, KC (Stephanie) Knutson and Eric Knutson; five great-grandchildren, Ruth, Ila and Jane Waters, Libby and Charlie Knutson; her sister Marilyn (David) Smith of Bartlesville, OK, brother-in-law Kenneth (Sharon) Waters of Topeka, KS, and several nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Edward.

Patricia will be missed for her kindness, sweet disposition, and insistence on helping others.  Memorial service will be held at 11:00am Saturday, December 28th, at Harmony United Methodist Church in Freeport, with visitation beginning at 10:30am.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association.