Patricia "Pat" Lucile Walsh

Patricia “Pat” Lucile Walsh, 86, of Benson, passed away peacefully Saturday evening, December 23, 2023, at the Diamond Willow Assisted Living in Alexandria, Minnesota, under the care of Hospice of Douglas County. A Rosary will be prayed in Pat’s honor at 9:15 am on Friday, January 5, 2024, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Murdock, Minnesota, with visitation from 9:30 am to 10:30 am, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 am. Interment will be held at the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery in Murdock. Zniewski Funeral Home of Benson is assisting the family with the arrangements.

To view a live stream of Pat's service click the link to Zniewski Funeral Home's facebook page. The service will go live just a few minutes before the start of the service at 10:30 am. https://www.facebook.com/Zniewskifh

Pat was born on January 24, 1937, in Benson, Minnesota, the daughter of Thomas Virgil and Lucile (Coyle) Ness. She was baptized and confirmed at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Murdock, Minnesota. She attended high school in Murdock, obtained her GED and furthered her education at Willmar Vocational-Technical School in accounting and bookkeeping.

January 13, 1954, Pat was united in marriage to William Patrick Walsh at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Murdock. Their union was blessed with six children and persevered through 54 years of marriage. They raised their children in Murdock for a few years before moving to Benson in 1962.

Pat respected her responsibilities as a housewife and mother, but as the family grew and times got financially tough, she began working outside of the home. She held jobs with Fingerhut Corporation, Benson Produce/Creamery, Sandy’s Café, selling Leah Sophia Jewelry, and working at Subway - this she did until she was 72 years old.

Pat was a quiet, reserved devoted woman of faith. As an active member of St Francis Xavier Catholic Church/St Isadore the Farmer Area Faith Community in Benson, Pat was deeply involved in the church choir and the Ministry of Praise, spanning a time of 30 years. Pat’s interests centered on music, singing, sewing, reading the area newspapers, becoming the best version of herself through daily prayer, and learning something new every day. Pat can be remembered for her pleasant smile, an optimistic and patient attitude, persistence, and meticulous attention to detail. The joys in her life centered around her dog Daisy, eating M&M’s, and relaxing with an occasional Gin 7 while watching TV.

Pat is survived by her children: Margaret (Bill) Tomlinson of British Columbia, Canada, Tim Walsh of Osseo, MN, Rita (Kevin) Frovarp of West Fargo, ND, Michelle (Jim) Gorres of Clinton, TN, Debbie (Dave) Schwenk, of Racine WI, and Steve Walsh of Benson, MN; 22 grandchildren; 37 great-grandchildren; siblings: Betty Jean Schoen of Eden Prairie, MN, Ann Quigley of Elk River, MN, Joan (Ronnie) Gorres of Murdock, MN, and Bob Ness of Maple Grove, MN.

Pat is preceded in death by her husband Bill, her parents Virgil and Lucile, brother Thomas Ness, son-in-law Dale Rust, and great-grandson Beckham Erenberg.

Blessed be the memory of Pat Walsh