Patricia Neznik
Patricia (Pat) Neznik, 82, of Staples, died at her home the evening of May 20, 2022, days away from her 83rd birthday. Her passing was peaceful, as she left for heaven while her family recited The Lord’s Prayer over her.
A casual wake to celebrate Pat’s life will be held at Brenny Funeral Chapel in Staples on Weds., May 25 from 4 to 7 p.m. A funeral service will be held at Faith Lutheran Church in Staples on Thurs., May 26 at 11 a.m., with visitation beginning one hour prior to the service at the church.
Pat was born June 2, 1939 to Henry and Carmelleta Ahrens in St. Cloud, the fourth of five children. Pat’s family moved several times during her early childhood before settling in Staples in the mid-1950’s. A part of the Class of 1957, she didn’t graduate with her class and proudly completed her GED later in life. Pat spent her working years at the Carter Ringer coat factory, old National T Foods, Kentucky Fried Chicken and Stern Rubber Company, all in Staples, before finishing her working years at Woodland Good Samaritan Society. It’s worth noting she did make a career comeback at Tower Pizza at the age of 82, where she enjoyed her tip money. She never quite figured out the cash register, but that’s a story for another time.
Pat met her husband, Thomas Neznik, in Staples in 1974. Theirs was a relationship into which Pat brought her five children. Pat and Tom had one child together. She had 14 grandchildren, all of whom she doted on whenever possible. She also had one great-grandson and two great-granddaughters, with another due in July. Pat was certainly looking forward to meeting that young lady.
Pat enjoyed her flower gardens, card games (Hand & Foot was a recent favorite), connecting with folks online (she was pretty proud to get up to speed with the social media experience) and taking random trips to Brainerd to shop and visit family. She enjoyed traveling later in life. She also enjoyed her ‘night life’ while chasing her youngest son’s various bands to bars all over the state. We could tell you this is when she fell in love with rum and Coke, but some of you know that particular love affair started years earlier.
A lot of folks will miss Pat including Tom, her husband of 47 years; four daughters, Karla (Jerry Swenson) Greenwaldt, Dianna (Richard) Perry, Jody (Jim) Elwell, Carmella (Bert) Wimer and two sons, Jamie (Carol) Kujawa and Eric (Alissa) Neznik; one sister Donna Mae; 13 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; several in-laws; Holly and Eddie (the Nezniks’ cats) will also be lost for some time without Pat. Don’t tell Holly, but Eddie was her favorite.
Pat was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Dennis and Henry; one sister, Rene; one grandson, Jamin and too many friends and in-laws to mention.
Arrangements are by the Brenny Family Funeral Chapel, Staples.
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