Patricia "Pat" McLauchlin , 84 of Thief River Falls, MN was called home Sunday, December 20, 2020 to be with our Lord after a short battle with cancer.

She was born in Langdon ND, February 28,1936 to Donald Allen McLauchlin and Mary Louise Steve. The family later moved to Grand Forks.  She came from a large family, with 5 Brothers and 2 Sisters. She had a special relationship with  all of them and her parents. She grew up and attended school in Grand Forks, North Dakota. She loved to read, and often her mother would find her sitting under the streetlight reading.

She ventured out on her own at twenty-one, to New York, where she worked in the medical field for many years before retiring to Arizona and then Southern California. She was independent, strong, spontaneous, and witty.  She also had a mischievous smile and good sense of humor that we will remember fondly. She loved dogs and couldn't resist stopping to give them a pat on the head and telling them hello.  Family was important to her and she took the time to help us with a school project or do what she could even though she was miles away.  She would knit, crochet vests, or sew an outfit for us girls and our dolls. We remember waiting for her plane to land Christmas Eve to get the celebration started.

She would often visit her sister, Sharon and nephews, Derek and Aaron in Oklahoma.  She and Sharon would cook up something NEW for the guys to try; not always sure they would like it, but they talked them into giving it a try.  On one visit to Oklahoma, they took her to the Blue Whale in Catoosa, Oklahoma and then drove several miles on Route 66, so she could say she traveled it!

She was a great hostess and tour guide when we were able to visit her in New York or Tucson, AZ. She loved to travel and explore. She had a large bucket list.  The trip to Ireland she shared with Sharon was a wonderful time and brought her great memories. They kissed the Blarney Stone and she treasured that memory and spoke of it often. She enjoyed the trails and zoos in Arizona, and she visited Mexico often, as she could walk across the border from AZ.

She returned to her hometown Grand Forks, ND in 2015. She enjoyed reconnecting with family and friends.  She moved to Thief River Falls the spring of 2018. She lived at Oakland Park Communities. She enjoyed the staff and residents while living there, and the birds in the front lobby entertained her and made her happy. The restrictions of COVID were difficult for her, as she was happiest being on the go. She moved to Greenleaf Assisted Living for a few months, until returning to Oakland Park for care and remained there until the time of her death.

She was preceded in death by her father, Donald and her mother, Mary McLauchlin; sisters, Donna Suedel, Sharon Chuculate; brothers, Donald "Dick", Robert "Bob" James "Jonny", Lee and William "Billy"; sisters-in-law, Mary and Penny; niece, Jayne Suedel, nephew-in-law, William Nopwaskey; niece-in-law, Cheryl Suedel and great-great niece, Adalyn Suedel.

She is survived by nieces, Joyce Nopwaskey of PA, Janice and husband, Jason Naslund of MN, Cindy and husband, Pete Buck of ND, Lorrie and husband, Chip Helgeson of MT.  Julie McLauchlin of MT.  Nephews Derek and wife Teresa Chuculate of OK, Aaron Chuculate of OK, Micheal (Mike) and wife ReNae McLauchlin of MN, James(Jim) McLauchlin of MN, Thomas (Tom) Suedel of MN, Timothy (Tim) and wife Mona Korsmoe of ND, and Todd Suedel of MN; great and great-great nephew's and nieces.

She will be missed very much.

Graveside Memorial Service: 1:00 p.m. Friday, April 16, 2021 in Calvary North Cemetery, Grand Forks, ND..