George Earl Patchin
May 24, 1936 — June 18, 2018
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Past Services
Visitation
Celebration of Life
George Earl Patchin
George Earl Patchin, age 82, died on June 18, 2018, at Mayo Clinic Health System in Mankato, Minnesota. George was born in Fairmont, Minnesota, on May 24, 1936, to George Everett and Mary Jane (Oswalt) Patchin. George attended elementary school in Fairmont, caddied at the local golf course, had a newspaper route, and took swimming lessons at the lakes. When he was in seventh grade, his mother remarried and moved to Rake, Iowa. George was confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Rake and graduated from Rake High School in 1954. After graduation, George attended Waldorf College in Forest City, Iowa, where he participated in sports and choir and earned a two-year degree in “Commercial” in 1956. He worked for First National Bank (1956-58) in Fairmont and then served in the US Army (1958-1960). Upon discharge, he attended Mankato State College and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Education (1962). He then taught Business Education in Freeborn, Minnesota, for seven years. During those years, he earned his Master of Science degree in Business Education (1966) at Mankato State College where he met his future wife, Mary Jane Andersen. They were married in Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Mankato, on August 28, 1966. He moved to Mankato and taught Business Education for District 77 from 1969 to retirement in 1994—starting at Mankato High School and moving to Mankato East High School when it opened in September 1973. George and Mary Jane are members of Bethlehem Lutheran Church.
George enjoyed being a long-time volunteer for the Minnesota Valley Federal Credit Union from 1973 to the present and served in various capacities on the Board of Directors, namely Treasurer, and on many committees. He received two state honors—Outstanding Volunteer of the Year Award and the Credit Union Builder award for his Credit Union service. His many interests included golf, music, cards, lutefisk dinners, MSHSL sports (especially hockey), dancing, water skiing, boating, mentoring young and old alike, and socializing with friends. Domestic and foreign travel ranked high on his priority list. He was a charter member of the local Sons of Norway fraternity and Friendship Force. George was a life member of professional organizations--DPE, MEA, MBEA, NBEA, MAREA, REAM, and DINKs.
Visitation is scheduled for Thursday, July 19, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Mankato. Visitation will continue on Friday, July 20, at 10 a.m. before a Celebration of Life service at 11 a.m. at Bethlehem Lutheran Church with lunch and fellowship to follow in the dining hall. A private family burial will be held at Calvary Cemetery in Mankato.
Survivors include wife, Mary Jane; daughter, Jane (Thomas “Tom”) Lalim, Belle Plaine; son, James “Jim” Patchin, Mankato; special friends, Jeff and Carmen Oelke and their sons, James and Luke of Ithaca, Wisconsin; special cousin, Pirjo “Pike” Pernu, Olhava, Finland; step-niece, Judy (Vance deceased) Halvorson, Mankato; stepnephew, David (Carolyn) Halvorson of Rake, IA; stepsister-in-law, Lillian (Arden deceased) Halvorson, Rake, Iowa; stepbrother, Harris (Mabel) Halvorson, Kingston, Rhode Island; many cousins; and a wealth of friends.
He was preceded in death by parents, George Everett and Mary Jane (Oswalt) Patchin; stepfather, Arthur Halvorson; Halvorson stepsiblings, Earnie, Marion, Eileen, Gladys, Janice; several cousins; and many friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Salvation Army; United Way; Dr. Hazel A. Flood Endowed Scholarship at Minnesota State University, Mankato; George E. and Mary Jane Patchin Endowed Scholarship at Gustavus Adolphus College; Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Mankato; or your choice of charities.
Thank you to compassionate nurses and doctors, the great staff at Ecumen Pathstone, and the love and care of friends! Arrangements have been handled by Mankato Mortuary. www.mankatomortuary.com
Past Services
Visitation
Thursday, July 19, 2018
4:00 - 7:00 pm (Central time)
Bethlehem Lutheran Church
Celebration of Life
Friday, July 20, 2018
Starts at 11:00 am (Central time)
Bethlehem Lutheran Church
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