Patricia Lynn Checkel

PATRICIA LYNN (PAT) CHECKEL

Patricia Lynn (Pat) Checkel, 59, of Kasson, MN passed away on July 27, 2017, at Fairview Care Center in Dodge Center, MN after a 14 year battle with melanoma.

Pat was born on September 24, 1957, at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, MN the oldest child of Leonard and Evelyn (Reimers) Checkel.

As a young child growing up on a farm near Kasson, Pat developed a love for animals, especially numerous cats, and was known for her pets and bountiful collection of cat related items.

Pat graduated in 1976, from Kasson-Mantorville High School and enrolled soon after at Rochester Area Vocational Technical Institute in the nursing assistant program.

In September of 1976, she was hired at St. Mary's and began a career lasting over 40 years.  Known for her compassion, Pat would often arrive early to work to review patient histories before beginning her day of work.   She also was the recipient of a numerous awards and honors and was well known for teaching new employees, even in the advanced states of her illness, her top concern was to get back to work and help others.

Pat traveled extensively across the United States and enjoyed short trips shopping and traveling to casinos. A highlight of her life was a trip to Africa where she traveled throughout Kenya and Tanzania during the Great Migration, and with an opportunity to visit native villages.

Pat is survived by her mother, Evelyn Checkel, Dodge Center, MN; brother, James Checkel, Kasson, MN; sister, Mary Jo (DWayne) Wieseler, Glencoe, MN; niece, Ashley Wieseler, Glencoe; and aunt, Christine Reimers, Dodge Center.

Pat is proceeded in death by her father, Leonard.

Visitation will be 5:00~7:00 p.m. July 30, 2017, at St. John Baptist de la Salle Catholic Church, 20 Second Street NE in Dodge Center. Funeral Mass will be 10:30 a.m. July 31, 2017,  at St. John Baptist de la Salle Catholic Church in Dodge Center with Father Thomas Niehaus celebrating.  Interment will be in Riverside Cemetery in Dodge Center.

A special thank you to the staff at Fairview Care Center for her excellent care, St. Croix Hospice and to all the medical staff at Mayo and St. Mary's who helped her through her final journey.   Memorials are preferred to the family or to Safe Haven Pet Rescue of Rochester.

Blessed be her memory.

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