Patricia "Patsy" Cragoe

Patricia “Patsy” Ann Cragoe was born on July 30, 1942, to Bill and June Nath in Luverne. She was baptized at the United Methodist Church in Luverne and was confirmed at the United Methodist Church in Magnolia. Patsy graduated from Magnolia High School in 1960. She met the love of her life, John “Jack” Cragoe, who was a local farmer, and they were joined in marriage on September 1, 1962. They were blessed with three daughters. In 1972, Patsy and Jack moved to the Huisken Farm west of Magnolia, where they remained until they moved to Luverne in 2010. Patsy and Jack were snowbirds to Mesa, AZ from 2005 to 2020. 

Early in their marriage, Patsy worked as a phone operator for Northwestern Bell for five years, before becoming a homemaker and raising her children on the family farm. In 1985, when the girls were in their teens, Patsy decided to begin her career at Berkley Information Systems, formerly known as Tri-State Insurance Company, until her retirement in 2007. 

Patsy was a dedicated member of the Magnolia United Methodist Church, Mary Martha Circle, and served as secretary for UMW. She also served as the organist for the church for many years. She was active as a 4-H leader and became especially involved in the 4-H horse program with her daughters. They spent many summers together going to horse shows and making great friends and memories along the way. Patsy was often found in the kitchen and had a passion for cooking and baking for her family. Her specialties included her perfectly cubed potato salad, honey butter, banana bars, and chocolate chip cookies. Patsy also enjoyed gardening, tending to the lawn, and a mean game of cards. Patsy and Jack enjoyed traveling and checked some travel destinations off their bucket list with trips to Hawaii, Europe, and an Alaskan Cruise. 

Her greatest love in life was the love of her family and she was an amazing grandmother and great-grandmother “GiGi”! Extended family time was a priority for Patsy and, over the past 28 years, the week-long Nath Family Reunion has taken place in the Black Hills every other summer. Despite health and mobility challenges, Patsy joined 42 family members at Palmer Gulch this past summer. 

Patsy will be lovingly remembered by her husband of 62 years, Jack; daughters, Dawn (Wayne) Mouw of Chandler, Diane (Steve) Hall of Lake Elmo, and Stacy (Hunter) Riggs of Magnolia (the family farm); grandchildren, Daniel (Regan) Mouw, Matthew Mouw (Brooklyn Hiniker), Stephanie (Derek) Van Wettering, Adam Wiering, and Emma Wiering; step-grandchildren, Christian (Lily) Hall, Leah (Tim) Wehrs, and Maris (Lee) Wood; great-grandchildren, Lydia Van Wettering, Emersyn and Jensen Mouw; brothers, Ron (Maureen) Nath, Larry Nath, and David (Cindy) Nath; sister, Terri (Steve) Hoffman; sisters-in-law, Colleen Cragoe and Doris Cragoe. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, Bill and June Nath; infant brother, James Allen; Jack’s parents, Charlie and Garnet Cragoe; brothers-in-law, Chuck Cragoe and Gene Cragoe; and sisters-in-law, Cheryl Nath and Elaine Snyders.