Patricia Fors died Friday, November 7, 2025, at Prairie Heights Healthcare in Aberdeen, SD. Funeral services were held on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Aberdeen.
Patricia Ann Grover Fors was born on December 24, 1930, to Armour F. Grover Sr. and Emma Parsch Grover. She attended Simmons Elementary and Junior High and graduated from Aberdeen Central High School in 1949. She continued her education at Northern State Teachers College (now Northern State University) for four years graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education in 1953. From 1953-1954, she taught High School in Superior Wisconsin and from 1954-1955, taught Jr. High and High School in Newhall, California. In 1955, Patricia returned to Aberdeen to continue her education and earned a master’s degree in education in 1957. Pat began teaching at Northern State University as an instructor in the department of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Athletics. During the summer, she attended the New York University Physical Education summer programs. The summers of 1958 and 1959, she attended Colorado College in Colorado Springs.
In 1960, Pat met her soul mate and the love of her life, Elton Fors, a Mathematics Professor at Northern State University. They were married in 1961.
Pat attended and taught at the University of Oklahoma while her husband worked on his PHD. She taught and coached Women’s Golf at Northern State University for 38 years, retiring in 1996 with the distinction and honor of Emeritus Associate Professor.
Pat was active in the state, regional, and National Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance Associations. She was also active in the American Red Cross Swimming Programs.
Pat received multiple honors; among them were; South Dakota Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance Honors Award, Central District Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance Honors Award, Northern State University Hall of Fame, King of the Gyps Coaches Award, NSIC Coaches Award, and Parade Marshall of the Gypsy Day parade in 1996.
Pat enjoyed golfing, knitting, traveling, playing bridge, spending time with friends and her birthday group as well as spending winters in Arizona.
Pat is survived by her husband, nieces: Carolyn Sue Driscoll Pearson (Bob), Mary Jean Driscoll Anderson (David), and Carolyn Grover Schaunaman (Craig); nephews: Thomas Dean Driscoll (Carol) and Armour F. Grover III (Sue); as well as several Fors nephews and nieces, several grandnephews, and a grandniece.
Preceding her in death are her parents, Armour Sr. and Emma Grover, brother Armour F. Grover Jr., sister, Beverly Grover Driscoll, sister-in-law, Jeanne Grover Taylor, brother-in-law, Dean Driscoll, one niece, one nephew, and two grandnephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials to the Patricia A. Grover Fors and Elton W. Fors Endowment through the Aberdeen Public Schools Foundation, the Elton and Patricia Fors Endowment through the Northern State University Foundation or the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Lighthouse Preschool of Aberdeen.
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