Joseph P. Fitzpatrick, born in Hibbing, Feb. 19, 1916, died the morning of Tuesday, July 31, 2012, at his residence, Diamond Willow, in Proctor.
He was a quiet man leaving a light but indelible touch on his friends and relatives, his co-workers, the kind and understanding caregivers at Diamond Willow and on those special people he leaves behind: his wife, Doris (Lindvall); four children, Mary (Rodney Waltenburg), Tom (Robyn Randall), Rita and Jo (Roger Carlson); nine grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren.
Today he joins his parents, Joseph and Cecilia; his son-in-law, Rodney Waltenburg; his daughter, Catherine (Raymond Critchley); and three grandsons, Patrick, Dean and Joe, who have gone to eternity before him.
Joe’s death ends a century-long history of Fitzpatricks in Littlefork — Pat, a great uncle and original settler in Littlefork on 40 acres of homestead river frontage on the north bank of the Littlefork River across from town; Joe Senior, who bought, cleared and farmed Pat’s homestead plus an additional 120 acres; and then finally Joe Junior, our Dad, who received all 160 acres as an inheritance from his Dad and also farmed it even while returning to railroading, his vocational first love.
Lush, green, vegetable gardening was Dad’s avocation after giving up serious farming but before selling the farm out of the family.
It’s where you could find him most anytime there was summer sunlight and before or after tea — in his garden.
Visitation and funeral Mass will be at 1 and 2 p.m. respectively and to be hosted with gratitude to its members as Dad was a charter member at St. Columban Church in Littlefork Saturday, Aug. 4.
Burial will be at Oakley Cemetery to follow immediately after the funeral Mass.
The family is hosting a celebration of his life from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Littlefork Community Center after burial.
