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Corrigan, Patrick Norbert "Pat" 1933 - 2021

CORRIGAN, MCCORMICK, LIDDIARD, GIBART, ALERY, DOOLITTLE, STARKS, BRIDELL, QUINCE, KELLY, WILLIAMS

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 3/2/2021 at 20:22:34

U.S. Veteran

Patrick “Pat” Corrigan, age 87 of Decorah, IA, died peacefully on February 25, 2021 at his home in Champlin, MN, surrounded by friends and family.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, March 3, 2021 at St. Benedict's Catholic Church in Decorah, IA. With Rev. Donald Hertges presiding. Burial will be at St. Benedict's cemetery.

Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service on Wednesday at the church.

Everyone attending is asked to please wear a mask and practice social distancing.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Benedict's Catholic School 402 Rural Ave, Decorah Iowa.

Patrick Norbert Corrigan was born November 27, 1933 in Harpers Ferry, Iowa as the 8th of 11 children born to James Vincent Corrigan and Rose Cecilia (McCormick) Corrigan. As a child, Patrick worked on the family farm and on neighboring farms in Northeast Iowa before graduating from Waterville High School in 1952. After high school, Patrick traveled with a harvesting crew, helping farmers from Oklahoma to Canada. In 1956, Patrick was drafted to serve in the US Army as an infantryman during the Korean War. Patrick was very proud of his service, and although he didn't discuss it much through the years, he beamed with pride and respect when he later visited the Korean War Memorial in Washington, DC. After the Army, Patrick returned to Northeast Iowa, hauling milk for local farmers. Patrick met LaVonne Frances Liddiard in 1958 at a dance at Matter's Ballroom in Decorah. Although LaVonne grew up near Waukon, she was working and living in Cedar Rapids and was home on a weekend visit. Patrick moved to Cedar Rapids, and in 1961 Patrick and LaVonne were married at St John the Baptist Catholic Church in West Ridge, Union Prairie township, Allamakee County. Patrick worked several years for Wilson's meat packing in Cedar Rapids. In 1965, the growing family of Patrick and LaVonne moved to Waukon where they owned and operated Corrigan's Tavern. In 1969, Patrick began working as an electrician for his brother Cyril, and moved the family to Decorah in 1975. In the late 70s, Patrick started Pat’s Electric. Patrick barely acknowledged 'retirement' when he later became of age, choosing instead to continue the electrical work he loved as long as his body would let him. After many years of climbing ladders and crawling through tight spaces while wiring houses and farm buildings, and 2 knee replacements, Patrick worked into his early 80's. Along the way, Patrick and LaVonne raised 7 children, helped with grandchildren, and spent many happy times camping with the immediate and extended family. For many years, the Corrigan family would enjoy frequent weekend camping trips to Yellow River State Forest in a converted 1954 Chevrolet school bus. After Patrick's beloved wife LaVonne died in 2006, Patrick's life changed considerably as he learned to live without his partner of 45 years. Patrick and LaVonne put their children through Catholic school, seeing them all off to their own lives, seeing some of them back for short periods as they found their way, and continuing to communicate and participate in the lives of their children's families throughout the years. All throughout his life Patrick very much enjoyed his neighbors, and these relationships grew even more important to him as he lived alone. He'd beam with pride as he pointed out pictures on his refrigerator of the children of neighbors, and he would smile when he spoke often about the friendly encounters, he had with many of the neighboring families, past and present. As he was born into a large family, and raised with LaVonne their own large family, Patrick also considered his neighbors to be family, and he absolutely felt included in theirs. Throughout his long and happy life, Patrick enjoyed his family, his friends and neighbors, his church, his work, watching sports, being in the outdoors, hunting, fishing, camping, and simply sitting outside, waiving or chatting with everyone he saw. Patrick lived a full life, he contributed positively to the people around him, and he leaves a legacy of friendliness toward others.

Pat is survived by his 7 children, 20 grandchildren, and 3 great grandchildren: Jim (Nan) Corrigan of Ramsey, MN, Katie Gibart, Blake Gibart and Sloane Gibart, Becky Alery, and Sean Corrigan; Matt (Carrie) Corrigan of Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, Carissa Corrigan; Larry Corrigan (Cyndi Doolittle) of Forest Lake, MN, Riley Corrigan, Christopher Corrigan, Violet Doolittle, and Garrett Doolittle; Kathy (Mike) Starks of Lake Tapps, WA, Jordan Starks, and Brandon Starks; Patty (Scott) Bridell of St. Michael, MN, Kyle Bridell, Ben Bridell, and Landon Bridell; Nancy (Marc) Quince of Detroit, MI, Neil Quince, Matthew Kelly, Logan Kelly, and Ryan Kelly; and Kelly Corrigan of Forest Lake, MN, Bradley Corrigan, Lincoln Williams, and Raylan Williams, and numerous friends and neighbors, all of which he held dear.

Source: Schluter-Balik Funeral Home database

St. Benedict Cemetery
 

Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Bruce Kuennen.
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