Patrick Michael Scanlan

Pat was born in Dallas, TX on April 29, 1932, to immigrant parents: Cornelius Scanlan (Ireland) and Helena Miller (Germany). His mother took their three boys back to Germany after Pat’s dad died when Pat was 2 years old. They returned to Dallas three years later, out of concern about Hitler’s rise to power.

Pat and his brothers lived in a Catholic orphanage for part of their childhood while his mom earned a living as a washwoman, seamstress, and maid. Their high school years were spent in a seminary-like boarding school. Both Pat and his oldest brother went on to the seminary and became priests.

Upon ordination in 1958, Pat served in various parishes in the Dallas diocese, until he joined the US Air Force in 1969 as a commissioned officer and chaplain. During his military service, Pat was assigned to bases in North Carolina, Alaska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Alabama, South Korea, and Germany. He also earned a Master’s degree in counseling from Peabody College.

Pat met Johanna in 1977, while they were both stationed at the Air Force base in Berlin, Germany. When they married in 1984, Pat finished his remaining years in the Air Force as an enlisted historian at Lowry AFB in Denver. After retiring from the AF in 1989 as a Major, Pat worked as a counselor and family therapist in Missouri and Nebraska until 1994. He then became a stay-at-home dad for their two children, Zachary Peter and Kyra Patrice, when they moved to Colorado.

Pat’s favorite hobbies included reading and jogging. As an avid and disciplined jogger (perhaps even addicted - if needing to run in the midst of a blizzard qualifies!), Pat ran multiple 10Ks and 10 marathons. He also enjoyed golfing, unless his score was too high.

Pat is remembered by many as a gentle, loving soul with a good sense of humor, whose presence made a difference in their lives. As a good listener, he always made people feel comfortable and welcomed. Aside from all his other desirable qualities and talents, and regardless of whatever titles/positions he held over his lifetime, the most important and driving factor in Pat’s life was loving Jesus through his Catholic faith. As a “dyed-in-the-wool Catholic,” as he described himself, there was no other way for him to embrace Gospel values and live a God-centered life. “Well done, good and faithful servant.” (Matthew 25:23)

Pat, age 94, died peacefully at home on July 24, surrounded by his family, and fittingly, right after we prayed an Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be for Pat and God to hear.

We do miss the in-depth conversations with Pat and his insights, his expressions of faith, and that self-satisfied, hint-of-smugness smile whenever he made a witty quip. We are eternally and immensely grateful for Pat’s love; for getting to spend all this time with our dear Pat/Daddy; and for his inspiration in helping us to grow in Jesus’ love.

Pat is preceded in death by his parents; brothers Karl A. Scanlan and Cornelius Scanlan, OMI; and several nieces and nephews.

He is survived by his wife of nearly 42 years, Johanna Scanlan (nee Dirkx); children, Zachary Scanlan and Kyra (Kevin) Scanlan Duzynski; grandson, Stellan; a niece and a nephew.

Join us to celebrate Pat's life on Monday, August 10th at the Church of St. Timothy, 707 89th Ave NE, Blaine, MN. In the spirit of Matthew 6:25, 31, 33 and John 6:37, come as you are! Visitation at 10:00 a.m., Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m., and luncheon to follow. Inurnment at Fort Snelling National Cemetery will take place on September 21st.

We are grateful for all the prayers and support we have experienced during this journey with Pat, from our extended family and relatives, dear friends and neighbors, general fans of Pat, and to the loving and professional care received from our Grace Hospice team over the past 4 months. Everyone’s support enabled us to better care for --and keep-- Pat at home with us, despite his increasingly limiting Parkinson’s symptoms. We have witnessed God’s love in action through ALL of you!