Obit: McFarlane, Patrick I. “Pat” (1954 – 2015)

Contact: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: McFarlane, Duffy, Knoll, Franz, Ashbeck, Potocnik, Jaramillo, Ehlers

----Source: Tribune/Record/Gleaner (Abbotsford, Wis.) 11 Mar 2015

McFarlane, Patrick I. “Pat” (14 MAY 1954 – 7 MAR 2015)

Patrick I. "Pat" McFarlane, 60, Glen Flora, formerly of Willard, died on Saturday, March 7, 2015, at the Rusk County Memorial Hospital in Ladysmith. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., on Thursday, March 12, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Willard. Rev. Steve Brice will officiate. Interment will take place at a later date. Pallbearers will be Lon Knoll (brother-in-law), Larry McFarlane (brother), Dave McFarlane (brother), and Al Debevec (friend). Visitation will be held at the church from 4-8 p.m., on Wednesday, March 11, and again at the church, on Thursday, from 10 a.m. until time of service.

Patrick Irving McFarlane was born on May 14, 1954, in Riceville, Iowa, the son of Donald A. and Donna F. (nee Duffy) McFarlane. As a young boy, his family moved to a farm near Willard, where Pat attended North Willard School. While attending Greenwood High School, he worked at Barr Minkery. He graduated from Greenwood High School in 1972. Pat married Deborah May Knoll on June 16, 1973, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Willard. Shortly after their marriage, Pat began a 4-year apprenticeship in steam and pipe fitting through Chippewa Valley Technical College with Local 383 in Chippewa Falls, which later merged with Local 434 in Mosinee. During his apprenticeship, he also worked in the woods as a logger, hauled milk on weekends for Elmdale Cheese Factory, and later for North Hendren Cheese to provide for his growing family. After becoming certified in his trade, Pat worked for 33 years with Local 434 until retiring in June 2014. Pat had many interests in life, but especially loved spending time with his family and grandchildren, hunting, fishing, anything outdoors, sunrises and sunsets, and the simple things in life. He enjoyed staying active, often taking long walks with his wife along scenic country roads or quiet, remote trails. Pat took great pride in his steam fitting work, never failed a welding test, and was the "Rock Star" of the steam and pipe fitting world. He worked to live, not lived to work.

He will be dearly missed by his wife, Deb, Glen Flora; his four sons, Scott (Cathy) McFarlane, Appleton, Dan (Erin) McFarlane, Stevens Point, Dean (Carrie) McFarlane, Marshfield, and Matt (Carissa) McFarlane, Fall Creek; 11 grandchildren, Amber, Dylan, Darcy, Sean, Beckett, Reid, Crew, Rudy, Payne, Holly and Owen; his mother, Donna McFarlane, Willard; four sisters, Carol (Bill) Franz, Colby, Barbara (Rodger) Ashbeck, Greenwood, Kathy (Jeff) Potocnik, Trego, and Donna Marie Jaramillo, Neillsville; three brothers, Allen McFarlane, Neillsville, David (Pam) McFarlane, Greenwood, and Larry (Bev) McFarlane, Willard; his mother-in-law, Arlene Knoll, Neillsville; a sister-in-law, Sue (Butch) Ehlers, Neillsville; a brother-in-law, Lon (Patti) Knoll, Greenwood; and several nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Donald A. McFarlane; one son, Patrick Irving McFarlane Jr.; one daughter, Baby Girl McFarlane, in infancy; and his father-in-law, Hank Knoll.

In lieu of flowers, Pat's family asks that donations be given in his name for a memorial to be established at a later date.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.cuddiefh.com.

Cuddie Funeral Home, Greenwood, is assisting the family with arrangements.