Patrick Joseph Ryan

Patrick Joseph Ryan, aged 78, of Green Isle, passed away on March 21 st at the University of Minnesota
hospital in Minneapolis. Friends and family are invited to attend a visitation to celebrate his life on
Monday, March 30th, from 4-7pm at the Kolden Funeral Home in Arlington. Mass of Christian Burial
will take place at St. Brendan’s Catholic Church in Green Isle on Tuesday, March 31 st at 11am (with an
additional visitation beginning at 10am). Following the service, a luncheon will be held at St. Paul’s
Lutheran Church in Green Isle.
Pat was born in Glencoe, MN on May 3, 1947, to Joe and Rita (Magner) Ryan. He was the 2 nd of 7
children and spent his childhood on the family farm located between Green Isle and Arlington. Pat
graduated from Arlington-Green Isle High School in 1965 and was drafted into the Army during the
Vietnam War in 1966. Most of his duty-time was spent in Texas at Fort Hood where he received the
National Defense Service Medal and an award for Marksmanship.
Pat made his living through the years doing one of his favorite things: talking. Some people call it sales.
He valued his friendships and loved to just drop by people’s houses – without notice – for a cold beer, a
joke, and some tall tales. He was deeply proud of his Irish heritage. If you never heard him talk about the
fact that he was one hundred percent Irish, did you really even know him? He loved traveling as much as
he loved a good argument (which was a lot). His favorite vices were beer (especially if someone else was
paying), mashed potatoes, and candy.
Pat was a past member of the Green Isle Lions and was an active member of both the Knights of
Columbus and the Ancient Order of the Hibernians until his death.
Most importantly, he was so very proud of his children and grandchildren, constantly claiming that all
their best qualities were, of course, inherited from him.
We will miss his laugh, his love, and his many phone calls.
Until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand – Irish Blessing
Pat is preceded in death by his parents Joe and Rita Ryan, his brother Mike, niece Katie and his nephew Jason.
He is survived by his longtime partner Darlene Weckwerth; children Sean Ryan and Erin (Tim) Carlson;
grandchildren Parker and Finn Ryan, Luke Meriwether, Carson Unze, Madden, Crosby and Georgia
Carlson; siblings Jack (Louise) Ryan, Maureen Bullert, Sheila (Rich) Henke, Terry (Janelle) Ryan, and
JoAnn (Ron) Wickenhauser; many nieces and nephews… and his favorite dog, Molly.