Patricia "Pat" Wharton Obituary

Patricia Marlene Wharton of Brooklyn Park passed away on October 14 at NorBella of Champlin. She was born in a log farmhouse in the Minnesota River valley near Sacred Heart, MN on April 30, 1937, to Odean and Vi Skalbeck. She attended Sacred Heart schools and graduated from Gustavus Adolphus with a degree in education. She first taught in Hoyt Lakes on the Iron Range, then moved to Great Falls, Montana with a friend to teach. She thought she would meet a rich rancher but met a poor GI instead. They dated and married on June 21,1964, then started their tour of the world. Bob’s Air Force transfers took them to all corners of the US and Pat taught in all of them. Back to Minnesota where Bob got a job working on computers, Pat taught at a couple more schools, worked for the Minneapolis Libraries and finally teaching at the St. Philips Pre School for 17 years. They did continue their travels going to Norway, Australia/New Zealand, Canada for some of their journeys. A young son, Gregory, joined them on their travels in 1974. Coming from a large extended family, there were always events with lots of cousins to attend.

Her funeral will be held at St. Philips Lutheran Church on Thursday, October 23 with services at 11:00 AM. Visitation will be one hour prior, and inurnment will be in the St. Philips Columbarium after.

Pat is survived by her husband, Bob; son, Greg (Katie); grandchildren, Nathan, Emma and Elizabeth; sister, Dianne Thunhorst of Ely; brother, Brian (Dee) of Mound; nephew, Dan (Kris) Thunhorst of Stillwater; niece, Ann Thunhorst-Anderson and son Asher Folz; and many friends and relatives.

Memorials preferred to St. Philips Lutheran Church or donors’ choice.