After a life of love and quiet grace, James Joseph Patrick of Alexandria, MN has passed.
A life remembered begins, simply, with the telling.
James held deeply to the Catholic faith — and was, by all accounts, loved by those who knew him best.
Some find their compass in faith. James was among them.
James Joseph Patrick, 86 of Alexandria, passed away at his home on Sunday, May 3, 2026. Memorial services will be held at Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria on Saturday, May 16, 2026 beginning at 11:00 AM. Public visitation will take place two hours prior to services, from 9:00 – 11:00 AM. Burial at St. Mary’s Catholic Church Cemetery in Alexandria will be held at a later date.James Patrick was born on January 4, 1940 to Eugene and Ann (Cihlar) Patrick in Alexandria, Minnesota. Besides one year his family would spend in California when he was a child, he was a lifelong resident of Alexandria. He graduated from Jefferson High School with the class of 1958 and went on to earn a certificate in Drafting and Surveying at Dunwoody College in Minneapolis.Jim did everything by the book, which served him well in his forty years working his way up through the ranks at the Minnesota Department of Transportation. After his retirement in July of 1999, Jim was able to take up golfing and spend even more time fishing and woodworking. He enjoyed crafting cabinets and helping his children with projects around their homes and cutting wood to (over)heat the house every winter.On July 2, 1960 Jim was united in marriage to Marian “Pinkie” Lindemyer. They welcomed their first child, built a new house, and bought a new car. His dad, Gene, told him he may have bitten off more than he could chew, and he figured he was right. But clearly he hadn’t bitten off too much because they went on to bring 5 more children into the house they built. Many renovations were undertaken over the years to make room for them all, and for his wife’s ever-evolving inspirations. That house had many, many visitors and guests over the years. It was the house on the corner, where everyone knew they could stop without calling first, and they would be welcomed for refreshments and conversation.When the grandbabies started coming, if grandpa went missing he’d always be found in the nursery having a private moment with the new arrival. He was even known to come to the hospital in the middle of the night in his PJs to do a night feeding. He loved babies.He and Pinkie were avid readers, with shelves always full of books. This was a hobby they passed on to children and grandchildren as well. He was a seeker and a philosopher. After many years and many books, he concluded that, “there are many paths up the mountain.”Advice he would often give was, “if a decision is made, don’t look back.” That advice would prove challenging after Pinkie passed. He spent much time looking back and would often say, “I am happy here with my memories, I’ve had a good life.”His sense of humor was memorable. If you messed up, he would say, “when God passed out the brains, you must’ve thought he said trains so you said ‘give me a slow one.’” If he found someone to be distasteful, he would comment they were “ugly as a mud fence” or that they’d been “beaten with an ugly stick.” Not a poet, but you got his meaning.Many times over the years, if he was feeling full of himself he’d say, “a good man don’t need no friends.” But it wasn’t true. He was a good friend and a good dad.He lived his final years on his terms. There was no changing that. He lived in the house they built to the end, and that is exactly how he wanted it.There was a reunion Sunday morning, without question. Many hugs were undoubtedly given. But a chewing out from Pinkie was surely on deck for him as well. And he would be loving every minute of it.Jim is preceded in death by his parents, Eugene and Ann Patrick; beloved wife, Pinkie; daughters: Michelle Patrick and Ellen Estevez; grandson, Blake Patrick; sisters: Betty Holten, Helen Holthusen, Patty LaFond, Kathy Kramer, and Elaine Weber. Left to cherish his memory on earth are his children: Mitch (Lynn) Patrick of Stillwater, MN, Julie Snider of Alexandria, MN, Matt Patrick of Fergus Falls, MN, and Nancy Patrick of Nelson, MN; grandchildren: BreAnna, Ashley, Andre, Emily, Hunter, Georgia, Abby, Jordan, Spencer, Tucker, Max, Sabrina, Luke; great-grandchildren: Chloe, Blake, Austin, Theo, Gabe; as well as many other cherished relatives and friends.Special thanks to Vivie Home Health & Hospice for the kind and compassionate care they provided.
