Patrick Dennis Gemlo

Patrick Dennis Gemlo, 73, of Mankato, died Friday May 27, 2016, at the Central Health Care Center in LeCenter, MN.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, June 1, 2016, at 3:00 p.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church with Rev. John Kunz officiating.  Visitation will be Tuesday from 4-7 p.m. at Northview-North Mankato Mortuary and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church.  Burial will be at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.  Memorials are preferred to Alzheimer’s Research or the DAV (Disabled American Veterans).

Pat was born on December 21, 1942 to James and Fern (Druck) Gemlo in Mankato, MN.  After graduating from Loyola High School in 1961 he enlisted in the United States Navy and served on the USS Valley Forge.  Pat was united in marriage to Sandra Spotts on December 22, 1962.   Pat graduated from MSU in 1969 with a BS in Art and later taught in Iowa for two years and one year in northern Minnesota.   Upon moving back to Mankato Pat worked at the Blue Earth County Sheriff’s office, first as a guard at the Law Enforcement Center, then as a custody officer before becoming a Deputy Sheriff until his retirement on December 31, 1997.    Pat introduced the DARE program to Blue Earth County schools and took much enjoyment in working with the students.   Upon retirement he served as a bailiff in the Blue Earth County Courthouse.  Pat loved making pottery, drawing and painting wildlife.  During his retirement he enjoyed sharing pottery that he made in his home studio.  As a fitness enthusiast he had a black belt in karate and won trophies in Law Enforcement Power Lifting.  Pat was an active member of Alcoholics Anonymous and enjoyed 34 years of sobriety and helped many others on to the road of recovery.  He was an active member of St. John the Baptist parish helping as a mass server for many years.  

Pat is survived by his wife, Sandy; son, John Gemlo and wife Christine; daughters, Shannon Mattes and husband Don, Shawna Coulter and husband Tom, and Jodie Barta and husband Paul; grandchildren, Ketturah and Tim Gemlo, Alexa and Kelsey Mattes, Shelby Coulter, and Autumn, Ainsley, and Adyson Barta; great-granddaughter, Sabiya Hoffman; sisters, Sandy, Patricia, Mary, Michelle and Bridget along with brothers Greg and Steven.  He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Michael; and sister, Kathleen.