Patricia (Pat) McElhaney

life story

Family Focused, Hard-Working, Mother, Grandmother, and Great Grandmother

It is with heavy hearts; we announce the passing of Patricia (Pat) McElhaney of Anoka MN. She passed away at the age of 77 on October 6, 2024.

To honor Pat’s life, we are holding a memorial service at St. Stephen’s church in Anoka MN on Tuesday, October 29, 2024. Visitation from 9:00 to10:00am, and church service 10:00 to 11:00 am. Burial at Fort Snelling will follow with close family and friends.

About Pat

Patricia "Patty" McElhaney was a woman of unwavering devotion to her family, faith, and community. Her love for others knew no bounds, especially when it came to her husband, children, grandchildren, and extended family. With quiet strength, Pat cared for her husband during his illnesses, drawing deeply from her faith, which remained her cornerstone through life's challenges. After the heartbreaking loss of her four sisters, Pat stood as a pillar of support for her extended family, offering comfort and care in their time of grief.

Her selflessness extended beyond family borders—Pat's heart led her on a mission trip to Guatemala with her church, where she worked to aid those in need, embodying the values she cherished.

Pat found joy in life's simple pleasures: nurturing her garden, boating along the Mississippi, exploring new destinations, and staying impeccably organized in all she did. Retirement opened the door to her passion for family genealogy. With curiosity and dedication, she meticulously traced her and her husband's roots, culminating in two books that preserved her family's rich lineage. This journey into the past also fueled her adventurous side, as Pat connected with newfound relatives and explored new corners of the world.

Born on August 20, 1947, in Barney, North Dakota, Pat made her home in Minneapolis in the late 1960s, eventually settling in the Anoka/Ramsey area where she spent most of her life. Her warm presence, boundless love, and quiet strength left an indelible mark on all who knew her.

Pat is preceded in death by her parents, Cecil and Dorothy McDonald, and her four sisters: Dianne Doll, Carolyn Walter Carlson, Mary Martinson, and Francine Bohn. She is survived by her children, Patrice (Jeff) Lerum, Michelle McElhaney, and Mike McElhaney; her grandchildren, Sara Lerum, Joe Lerum, Drew Anderson, and Jake Anderson; and her great-granddaughter, Makenna Anderson. Pat also leaves behind her brother, Gerald (Darlene) McDonald, her brother-in-law Wayne Martinson, and a host of nieces, nephews, and extended family members, all of whom will miss her deeply.

Though Pat's absence leaves a profound void, her spirit will live on in the hearts of those who loved her. In her honor, let us continue her legacy of kindness—pay it forward, just as she would have.

memorial service

Memorial Service

October 29, 2024

St. Stephen's Catholic Church 525 Jackson St, Anoka, MN 55303, USA

Visitation: 9:00-10:00 am

Church service: 10:00-11:00 am

Funeral/Cremation Provider: Crescent Tide Cremation Services