Patrick "Pat" Mears

Patrick “Pat” E. Mears, age 72 of St. Peter, died on Saturday, December 12, 2015 at the Benedictine Living Community, St. Peter.

Memorial Mass is 11:00 am Friday, December 18, 2015 at the Church of St. Peter in St. Peter with urn burial at Calvary Cemetery, St. Peter. Visitation will be 4:00 to 8:00 pm Thursday at the church and also one hour prior to the service Friday. Memorials may be directed to the American Heart Association. St. Peter Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Patrick Edward was born on May 31, 1943 in Mound, MN to Walter and Alice Mary (Germscheid) Mears. His father passed away and Alice married Richard Blaschko; together they raised Pat in Le Center. He attended Le Center High School where he was active in swimming, diving, football, basketball and baseball. Pat achieved All Conference in football and baseball. He was also on the Wigwam All American Football Team as a linebacker and his high school jersey #30 was retired. He was also known for racing Sparky the Seal, even though he lost the race. He graduated in 1962 and continued his education at Mankato VoTech, completing a degree in tool and die.

On September 7, 1968 he was united in marriage to Mary Ellen Briggs at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in St. Peter. He was employed by Winco, ADC, Onan, Kato Engineering and eventually retired from ALCA Corporation in St. Paul. In his retirement he was employed by the city of St. Peter mowing grass. In his early years, he was active in Cub and Boy Scouts; and later was a member of the Knights of Columbus. He enjoyed all sports; attending many local high school and college sporting events and took great joy in watching his grandchildren’s sporting events. He enjoyed his family and friends and always had a smile on his face.

Left to cherish his memory are his children and grandchildren: Mark, Paula (Mark) Van Zee and McKenna, Patty (Nathan) Krenik and Erin and Reece, & Molly (Kent) Olson and Robbie and Max; brother: Lowell Richter; brother-in-law Roger Groetsch; 4 nieces & 4 nephews; his dog Tubby and his special friends of the coffee group at McDonald’s.

Pat was preceded in death by his wife Mary in 2004, his father Walter, mother Alice, stepfather Richard, and sisters-in-law Aggie Richter and Sara Groetsch.