Patricia Ann "Nana" Phelps, 83, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017, at Rapid City Regional Hospital surrounded by her family.

She was born Aug. 23, 1933, in Columbus, MT, to Cliff and Ann Shaw, the oldest of their three children. When Patty was a young teenager her family moved to Billings, MT, where her father opened several restaurants. It was during her teens that she started working for her family in the restaurants and eventually started to handle the bookkeeping. She continued to do so even after high school.

On Christmas Eve 1957, she married John E. Phelps Jr. They soon relocated to Rapid City, where John began work for P & H Pharmaceuticals. After settling into Rapid she worked as a bookkeeper for Black Hills Power & Light and Donaldson's Department Store. In 1963, the Phelps and Athow families established E&J Specialties, Inc. where Patty handled the finances for the business.

She had numerous interests and hobbies. Her love of animals was shown by all the family pets throughout the years. Patty was a crossword enthusiast. She also delighted in spending hours putting together her puzzles either alone, with friends or family. She enjoyed gardening and planting, taking pride in everything from the bushes to her peonies. She also had an affection for Las Vegas and savored her trips to Deadwood for some fun and all you can eat crab legs.

She was a lifelong bridge player and played with the same group up until the month prior to her passing. Patty was an active member of Canyon Lake Methodist Church and a long-time member of Arrowhead Country Club.

In 1976, the Phelps family built and opened their pool. This more than any of her other passions brought her the most anguish but far more happiness and enjoyment. She spent countless hours, days, months and years watching her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, along with legions of extended family and friends relax, amuse and entertain themselves in her backyard.

After the arrival of her first grandchild Patty became "Nana" to friends and family alike. Affectionately referred to as Nana Claus during Christmas, her favorite holiday season. Her love was evident all year round and she never wanted anything more than to be surrounded by the ones she loved and held dear.

She is survived by her sister, Bonnie Wilson and brother, Gene Shaw and his wife Rosalie, all of Billings; her four children, Rick Harris and wife Char, Jani Young, Bonnie Warren and husband Brent, and Doug Phelps and wife Terri, all of Rapid City; her eight grandchildren, Ryan Harris and wife Brianne, Rapid City, Jeremiah Young, Oklahoma City, OK, Nicole Polley and husband Kris, Grand Prairie, TX, Evan Harris and wife Karla, Rapid City, John T. Phelps, Peoria, IL, Mason Phelps, Mankato, MN, Brooklyn and Brenna Warren, Rapid City; and three great grandbabies, Jasmyne and Spenser Harris, and Beckett Harris, all of Rapid City.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Clifford and Ann Shaw; and husband, John E. Phelps Jr.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday Jan. 14, at Canyon Lake United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Eric Grinager officiating. It will be followed by a reception and then burial at Mountain View Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Storybook Island or the Humane Society of the Black Hills in the form of supplies.