Pat Pisarik

Patrick Allen Pisarik, 67, a lifetime resident of rural Mt. Vernon, died Monday, October 30, 2017. Funeral Service: 10:30 a.m., Saturday, November 4, 2017, at St. John's Catholic Church, Mount Vernon. Visitation: 4-7 p.m. Friday, November 3rd at the church with Rosary and Vigil at 3 p.m. Private Family Burial: Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Cemetery, Solon. Arrangements with Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Mount Vernon. Pat is survived by his wife, LeAnn Pisarik; four children, Christopher (Rachael) Pisarik, Jesse (Ashley) Pisarik, Stephanie (Joseph) Brinkmann, and Timothy (Christina) Pisarik; twelve grandchildren; Aubrey, Savannah, Lauren, Gabrielle, Rose, Kenzi, Paxten, Evan, Benjamin, Dorothy, James, and Stephen; ten siblings, Dennis (Joyce), Francis (Teri), Terese, Larry (Kathy), Kathy (Minor) Dix, John (Jane), Ron (Nancy), Mark (Luann), Steve (Susan), and Mary (Ron) Holubar; mother-in-law, Arda (Dick) Renfrow; in-laws, Charles (Lynn) Olson, Tim Olson, and Greg (Laura) Olson; and many nieces and nephews. His family meant the world to him and he took advantage of every opportunity to be with them. Raphael and Elizabeth (Becker) Pisarik welcomed Pat to their ...[more]

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ily on July 8, 1950 in rural Ely. Growing up in a close-knit Catholic family and community, Pat worked and roamed the fields, farmland, and timbers of his native Iowa. He graduated from Iowa State University and then went on to earn his Master's Degree at the University of Iowa. Pat loved learning. Pat was a small business owner. He worked for the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation as a Project Consultant, as well as a graphic designer and a photojournalist at the Gazette. He finally settled on his lifelong love of education at Loras College, where he taught journalism for almost 25 years. For several years, he was the editor of the campus newspaper. Pat also served on the board of the Iowa College Media Association and was an active lifelong member in the Catholic Order of Foresters. Those who were touched by Pat's life knew a kind and loving man. He was always the first to volunteer and often went out of his way to help others. Pat was quick to strike up a conversation; he valued his faith and was a generous man. He enjoyed the outdoors, gardening, woodworking, canning fruits, and making jellies. Pat loved to gather with family. He was a "hands-on" type of grandfather, engaging his grand kids in endless crafts, conversation, fishing, and so much more. Pat traveled the world and enthusiastically captured his experiences in photos and video. He was a faithful and caring husband, as well as a proud and loving father and grandfather. Pat was the best friend and brother anyone could ask for. He will forever be in our hearts. He is preceded in death by his parents, Raphael and Elizabeth Pisarik; sister, Christine Pisarik; father-in-law, Claude Olson; and sister-in-law, Kris Olson. Memorials may be directed to the family or the charity of your choice. To read the full obituary, please click here: http://www.stewartbaxter.com/obituaries/Pat-Pisarik?obId=2678214#/celebrationWall