Oct. 25, 1938 - May 27, 2009

Patricia Lenore Nelson Burkhart died May 27 at her home in Corvallis.

She was born in Corvallis to Harold Everett Nelson and Marie Caroline Koberstein Nelson. She attended Franklin Grade School and Corvallis High School, graduating in 1956. She later attended the University of Oregon, where she earned bachelor of arts degrees in art history and art education, and a master of arts degree in French literature and language.

She married Jimmie T. Harding in 1956, and worked as a secretary in Corvallis before her first daughter, Ramona, was born in 1959. Her second daughter, Angela, was born in 1969. She divorced in 1970. She married Rolf O. Burkhart in 1974 in Eugene. They returned to Corvallis in 1976, and have made their home here since that time.

Patricia loved art and languages, and enjoyed working in lithography, pencil and watercolor. She grew up singing with her family, and music remained an important part of her life. She had a great love of the natural beauty around her, and found joy in gardening and the visual and tactile pleasures it offered.

She greatly loved her family and friends, and felt herself in recent times to be particularly rich in these connections, making new friends and cherishing the old.

Survivors include her husband, Rolf Burkhart; her brother, Ronald Nelson of Alpine; her daughters, Ramona Cassady of Longbranch, Wash., and Angela Barry of Medford; four grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

A private family graveside service will take place, and a memorial service will be set at a later date. Memorial donations in Patricia's name can be made to Susan G. Komen for the Cure or to the American Cancer Society in care of McHenry Funeral Home in Corvallis.