Patricia L. Winker

• 

Winker, Patricia L. age 82 of Richfield passed away peacefully on September 15, 2017. Survived by her husband, Fred, children, Kevin (Rose), JP (Kori), Mary (John), Katy, Sean (Wanda), and Mick, grandchildren, Colin (Kari), Sam, Tess, Emma, Gannon, and great-grandson, Karson. Preceded in death by her mother Zetta, father Simeon, and sister, Susan. This Irish lass was (appropriately) born on March 17, 1935 in Minneapolis and used to take the streetcar downtown to shop and to work. She rode her bike to the lakes and the Parkway Theater. Pat loved fashion and taught herself how to sew at a young age. She married Fred in 1961 and they travelled the world together, including living several years in each Brussels, Belgium and Johannesburg, South Africa, toting their children with them until settling on their farm in Prior Lake in the '70s. Always learning, she became a Master Gardener, then grew every fruit, vegetable and flower she could (often with a gaggle of goslings following behind her), sewed clothing for the family, played guitar, trained horses, herded cattle, and raised her children (her "treasures"), inviting "extras" to come and stay each summer. She was a member of a national award-winning PTA team where she gained lifelong friends, and worked at Target and Northwest Airlines in Customer Service where, with her wit and charm, she made many more friends. She enjoyed eight winters' worth of happy retirement on sunny Roatan. Pat nurtured and encouraged each plant, animal, and person she came across, always had a good story to tell, food to offer, and greatly enjoyed working in her gardens. Memorial service to be held at a later date.

Published on September 26, 2017