Patricia “Pat” Anne Thelen

Patricia “Pat” Anne Thelen, age 79, of Park Rapids, MN, formerly Benson, MN, peacefully went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, July 3, 2016 at Sanford Hospital, Fargo, ND. A mass of Christian Burial was held on Friday. July 8, 2016, at 10:30 am, at St. Francis Catholic Church in Benson. Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 7, at St. Francis Catholic Church in Benson, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., and for one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday. In Lieu of Flowers the family prefers memorials to St. Jude’s Childrens Research Hospital. Zniewski Funeral Home of Benson is in charge of the arrangements.
Patricia Ann McGarry was born on August 10, 1936 to George and Eva (Woodward) McGarry in Minneapolis, MN. Pat grew up and attended school in Minneapolis and Melrose, MN, graduating from Melrose High School in 1954. She then attended St. Cloud State receiving a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education in 1958. On June 25, 1959 she married James A. Thelen at the Cathedral of St. Mary in St. Cloud, MN. Together they had four children, Jim, David, John, and Betsy.
Jim and Pat lived in St. Paul, Canby, and Duluth, MN before settling in Benson in 1971 where they made their home for over 40 years before moving to Park Rapids to be closer to their children. Pat was a Title I Teacher for Benson Public Schools for many years. She was an active member of the community, serving in many capacities such as a longtime member of the St. Francis Catholic Church Choir and serving on the board of directors for Theater Dreamland II and the Benson Public Library. She was also an active participant of Study Club, Homemakers, and Meals on Wheels. Pat’s hobbies included genealogy research, quilting, sewing, costume designing, as well as reading and playing bridge.
Blessed be the memory of Pat. She will be missed dearly by her family and many friends.
Pat is survived by her husband of 57 years, Jim Thelen, of Park Rapids, MN; two sons, Jim (Julie) Thelen Jr. of Park Rapids, MN, David Thelen of Benson, MN; daughter, Betsy (Phillip) Grinder of Moorhead, MN; four grandchildren, Brittany Pfeffer, Cara (Rigoberto) Huerta, and Nick and Trevor Thelen; and two great-grandchildren, Victoriano and Lorenzo Huerta.
Pat was preceded in death by her parents; son, John Thelen; brothers, Tommy and Jimmy McGarry, and sister, Jackie Quiros.
In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.