Thief River Falls – Patricia Ann Szymanski, 91, of Thief River Falls, passed away on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, at the Benedictine Living Community in Crookston.
Patricia (Pat) was born on March 31, 1933, in Hawley, and was one of eight children born to Elmer and Esther Jensen. Patricia attended Clay County (MN District
44) country school and Northwest School of Agriculture in Crookston, where she met her future husband.
Patricia Jensen and Kenneth Szymanski were married on September 12, 1953, and lived in many locations during their 66-year marriage including Fargo, ND; Germany; Lincroft, NJ; Greensboro, NC; Langdon, ND; Aurora, CO; Mesa, AZ; and they retired in Thief River Falls, on the Szymanski family farm. They had six children, Kathleen, Steven, Timothy, Laurie, Michael, and Kenneth.
Patricia was primarily a homemaker but also worked as a real estate agent, a sales representative for various home party products, and a medical assistant. She was an excellent cook, made beautiful quilts for family and friends, and was a skilled artist.
Patricia had a green thumb and grew beautiful and abundant gardens and enjoyed reading, playing bridge, Sudoku and puzzles, and canning (her dill pickle recipe is a family favorite). Most will remember her as a loving mother and grandmother and a kind and thoughtful person, and she will be deeply missed by those who loved her.
Patricia is survived by her sons, Steven and his wife, Susan, of Littleton, CO; Timothy and his wife, Brenda, of Thief River Falls; and her daughter, Laurie, of Medford, OR. She leaves behind her grandchildren: Sara (and husband, Dane Hoppe), Michael, Katlyn (and husband, Jake Lorton) and Kathryn; and her great-grandson, Bode Hoppe. She is also survived by her sisters, Beryl and Mavis; and many nieces and nephews.
Patricia is preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth; her beloved children, Kathleen, Michael and Kenneth; her parents; her siblings, Marvin, Luverne, Eddis, Carroll, and Joy; and best life-long friends, Donna and Curtis Kinney.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held in the spring or summer at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Thief River Falls.
Patricia will be cremated and buried next to her husband and children in St. Bernard’s Cemetery, Thief River Falls.
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