Patricia Panek

Pat Panek, 82 died peacefully on Tuesday, February 28, 2017 at Essentia Health in Fosston, MN with her loving family at her side. Funeral service to celebrate Pat’s life was held 10:30 AM on Monday, March 6, 2017 at Faith Lutheran Church in Goodridge, MN with Rev. Kristin Dahlen Ostercamp officiating. Burial will be at Germantown Cemetery, rural Goodridge, MN. Visitation was held from 3:00 PM until 6:00 PM with a 5:00 PM prayer service on Sunday, March 5, 2017 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN, and again from 9:30 AM until 10:30 AM on Monday at Faith Lutheran Church. Patricia Allen Nelson was born on September 17, 1934 at Physicians Hospital in Thief River Falls, MN the daughter of Lawrence K. and Evelyn (Mathewson) Nelson. She was baptized on November 18, 1934 by Rev. E.O. Sabo and confirmed on September 4, 1949 at Germantown Lutheran Church. Pat and her sister attended country school in Montana where they lived with their aunt for a time. She also attended Country School #76 in Grand Plain Township and graduated from Goodridge High School in the class of 1952. On September 21, 1952, Pat was united in marriage to George Stanley Panek at Telemarken Lutheran Church by Rev. N.R. Wight. As they constructed their own home in Grand Plain Township, they lived and worked on the farm of Bob Oski. To this union six children were born, Lawrence, David, Debra, Timothy, Mark and Darren. Pat worked next to George on the farm, milking cows, delivering baby pigs, raising and selling geese to Hartz, raising chickens and ducks. Pat was the Mavie News Reporter for the Thief River Falls Times and did catering with her sister Bev. She enjoyed quilting, embroidering baptism towels and dish towels, gardening, going for evening rides to see deer, reading, bird watching, puzzles and was known around Goodridge as the “Pie Lady” and to the great-grandkids and neighbor kids as the “Marshmallow Grandma”. She was a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Goodridge. In the church, Pat was active with the ELCW and “Good Cheer Lady”, was Sunday School Superintendent, Financial Secretary, Mavie 4-H Leader, Homemakers Club, American Legion Auxiliary and Birthday Club. Pat was an extremely hard worker and she taught all of her kids the value of hard work. She was one of the best cooks to be found anywhere, she was never afraid to try something new and was like a box of chocolates – you never knew what you were going to get, but it was always sweet! Survivors include children, Larry (Laurie) Panek, Thief River Falls, MN, David (Mylisa) Panek, Dickson, TN, Debra (Harry) Farris, Goodridge, MN, Tim (Tawnya) Panek of Newfolden, MN, Mark Panek and Darren Panek both of Thief River Falls; grandchildren, Garret (Sara) Panek, Jeff Panek, Adam (Tiffany) Panek, Aaron Panek, Cody Myatt, Sean Farris, Kristin Farris, Dwayne (Leah) Farris, Joe (Kay Selberg) Farris, Ryan (Jessica) Farris, Amber (John Michael) Robertson, Ashley (Jeff) Crist, Tyson (Tiffany Stroh) Panek, Brittani Panek, Blair Panek; great-grandchildren, Preston, Kennedy, Lincoln, & Amelia Panek, Haley, Brandon, Griffin, & Rayna Farris, Connor Farris, Rebecca & Samuel Farris, Amani Panek, Reed Panek, Baby Girl Panek and Baby Girl Crist; sister, Beverly (Clyde) Swenson of Newfolden, MN; special friends, Gary, Lisa and Kayla Geske; brothers-in-law, Henry Panek, Norman Panek, Robert Panek and Stanley (Arlene) Panek Jr.; and many other relatives and friends. She is preceded in death by her husband George in 2005; parents; great-granddaughter Madyson Panek; George’s parents, Stanley and Francis Panek; brothers-in-law, Walter Panek, Henry Bendickson; sisters-in-law, Deloris Bendickson, Doris Panek, Evelyn Panek, Sharon Panek, Marge Panek. Condolences may be sent at www.johnsonfuneralservice.com

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