Patricia “Pat” Quackenbush
Patricia “Pat” Quackenbush, age 96 of Morris, Minnesota, formerly of Chokio, MN, passed away Wednesday, September 23, 2026, at Legacy Assisted Living in Morris, MN.
Visitation for Pat Quackenbush will be held Thursday, October 8, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a Rosary at 6:45 p.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Chokio, MN.
Visitation will continue from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 9, 2026, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Chokio, MN.
Memorial Mass for Patricia Quackenbush will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 9, 2026, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Chokio, MN, with Fr. John Paul Knopik officiating.
Inurnment will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery rural Chokio, MN
Born on New Year’s Eve, 1929, in Graceville, Minnesota, Patricia “Pat” was the daughter of Carl and Esther (Leuthard) Wade and the oldest of the couple’s four children. A lifelong resident of the Chokio area, she grew up in a home dedicated to faith, learning and family; these values shaped her character and the life she pursued.
After high school, she attended Franklin Hospital School of Nursing alongside her sister Ole and graduated with an LPN degree, returning to Chokio where she and Don courted and began their life together. Wearing a corsage of yellow roses, they married on November 24, 1951 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Chokio, Minnesota.
Devoted to her community, Pat served on the Stevens County Hospital board and was a volunteer First Responder for many years. She was proud to have participated in the Blandin Community Leadership Program. Her Catholic faith was much of who Pat was, frequently attending St. Mary’s Catholic Church for Mass and other activities, including crafting with her beloved Wednesday group for the annual fall bazaar.
Her family, foremost, was the source of her joy, taking pride that all 12 children received a secondary education and beyond. Those who knew her as a consummate homemaker also knew she was quick to let go of perfection, often with a nod and “just do your best.” As the family grew, she passed on her love of music, encouraging each of her children to pursue some form of music in school. Pat could be found cooking for a crowd, making pear jam and lefse, or letting the grandchildren “help” make her famous chocolate chip cookies, which were always ready for anyone who walked through the door (even if you had to look in the freezer). Her infectious laughter filled the room, and she was quick to introduce herself to anyone she hadn’t made friends with yet. At meal times, prayers often concluded with a “Yay, God!”.
Survivors include her children: Margaret/Peggy (Ken) Quackenbush, Carol (Doug) Olausen, Joan (Scott) Bonine, Laurie (Larry) Roehl, Louise Koranda, Dean (Lynn) Quackenbush, Kay (Tom) Fox, Bruce (Kris) Quackenbush, Eileen (Rick) Johnsen, Kristine (David) Dodds, Tom (LaVonne) Quackenbush; daughter-in-law: Amy Quackenbush; and foreign exchange student Ole Baek; her brother: Bob Wade, thirty-three grandchildren and forty-one great-grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by her parents: Carl and Esther Wade; husband: Don; son: Jim; two infant sons: Peter and John; siblings: Lenore (Ole) and Roger; brother-in-law: Bill Kaley; sister-in-law: Doreen Wade; son-in-law: Brian Koranda; daughter-in-law: Carla Quackenbush; and son-in-law: Tony Blake.
Memorials may be dedicated to the Chokio First Responders, Chokio Pool Fund, or Courage Cottage in Morris, MN.
Arrangements are with the Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris, MN.
