Patricia Mulford

Patricia Lois (Ashing) Mulford, passed away peacefully, November 16, 2021 at Oak Terrace Assisted Living in North Mankato.

Funeral service will be 2:00 p.m., Sunday, November 21, 2021 at Northview-North Mankato Mortuary, 2060 Commerce Dr., in North Mankato with visitation one hour prior to the service. Burial will be at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis. Memorials may be given to Centenary United Methodist Church. Livestreaming will be available at www.mankatomortuary.com

Pat was born April 19, 1927 to Charles and Flossie (Walker) Ashing in Laurel, Iowa. From a very early age, Pat had an interest in music and sang from time to time in church and had roles in school operettas. When the family moved to Kellogg in 1941, Pat was afraid of not making any new friends. But the first day in town, Nora Lee Nesmith and Lila Lansing knocked on their door, and the three remained best of friends from that point forward.

Pat took voice and piano lessons throughout high school and graduated from Kellogg High School in 1945. She enjoyed being a member of the choir while attending Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa. After Pat obtained a two-year teaching certificate, she taught for two years in Gilman, Iowa until her marriage.

On June 17, 1949, Pat married Oliver “Ollie” J. Mulford and they were married for 68 years until his death in 2017.

After Gilman, the family moved to Newton, Iowa in pre-1950, Clinton in 1950, back to Gilman, Iowa from 1952 to 1955, Keokuk, Iowa from 1955 to 1960, New Lisbon, Wisconsin from 1960 to 1962, and finally settled in Mankato in 1962.

When the family moved to Mankato, both Pat and Oliver worked on advance degrees. Pat completed her bachelor’s degree in education and speech therapy in 1965, and a master’s degree in counseling in 1970. Oliver completed his doctorate degree in 1971. Pat worked for the School District 77 as a Speech Therapist from 1965 to 1970. Then as a Guidance Counselor at Mankato High School and Mankato East High School from 1970 until her retirement in 1992.

During both work and retirement, Pat and Oliver traveled extensively to many countries of the world, as well as taking several cruises. They both enjoyed dancing and particularly loved to waltz. She also enjoyed knitting, sewing, reading, and playing bridge. Pat was a member of the Centenary United Methodist Church.

Pat is survived by her two sons, Philip (Priscilla) of Alexandria, Virginia and Tracy (Cheryl) of Caledonia, Michigan; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Charles (Helen) and Darrel (Lee); and sisters, Vera (Chuck) and Doris.