Patricia Rautiola R.N., P.T. Patricia Rautiola died in Minneapolis, MN on Friday, January 18, 2013 due to complications of influenza and Parkinson's disease. She was born Patricia McCarthy on July 18, 1927 in East Palestine, Ohio, one of six children. Patricia attended St. Elizabeth School of Nursing in Youngstown, Ohio and earned her R.N. in 1948. While working at University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor, MI she met and married Clifton Rautiola. She also was a member of the first graduating class of the University of Michigan School of Physical Therapy in 1953. Patricia and Clifton moved to the Lansing, MI area in 1958, and eventually divided their time between Okemos, MI; a lake home in Gaylord, MI and Sanibel Island, FL. Pat was unsurpassed as a mother raising three children; she always had time for us. She was active in the local Dental Auxiliary. She was wonderful with children and enjoyed performing educational programming for elementary school children in the greater Lansing area through the Auxiliary. She also functioned as accountant for Clif's periodontal practice for many years. Pat was also a natural athlete, having been a lifeguard as a teenager and taking up both water and downhill skiing as an adult, quickly becoming graceful and skilled. She and Clif also enjoyed dancing. Pat was a compassionate, gentle soul who loved to laugh and did not have a temper. She saw only the good in everyone and practiced great charity and kindness effortlessly throughout her life. Pat is survived by three children: Eric (Carol) Rautiola (Ruslan and Larissa) of Hickory NC; Kirstin (Gary) Perkins (Bryan and Scott) of Edina, MN; Katrina (John) Rosculet (Nicholas and Natalja) of Neenah WI. She is further survived by three siblings: Jim (Ann) McCarthy of East Palestine, OH; Mary (Jim) Lynch of East Palestine, OH; and Eileen (Dale) Bird of Port Clinton, OH. She was preceded in death by husband Clifton Rautiola, parents James and Winifred McCarthy, and siblings Edward and Jack McCarthy. A memorial service will be held for Patricia in East Palestine, OH in the spring. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research (Grand Central Station PO Box 4777; NY, NY 10163-4777). We are especially grateful to the care given to Pat by aides from Lifesprk and nurses from Allina Hospice.

Published in Lansing State Journal on January 30, 2013