Patrick A. Lawler
Sunday, July 2, 1950
Date of Death:
Tuesday, January 31, 2023
Age:
72 years old
Sunday, July 2, 1950
Date of Death:
Tuesday, January 31, 2023
Age:
72 years old
Sunday, July 2, 1950
Date of Death:
Tuesday, January 31, 2023
Age:
72 years old
Patrick A. Lawler
Patrick Andrew Lawler, 72 of Zumbrota, was called home by God on Tuesday, January 31, 2023 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester from complications related to his 15-year battle with lung cancer.
Pat was born in Rochester on July 2, 1950, to Margaret (Charlebois) and Richard Lawler. He grew up on the Lawler family farm near Eyota and graduated from Lourdes High School. He went on to attend RCTC where he was the Senate President. He then completed his degree in Business Administration at Winona State University. He continued his education at St. Mary’s University and St. Paul Seminary where he received his Master of Divinity degree. He was ordained a Catholic Priest in 1979 and went on to serve churches in Austin, Albert Lea, and Fairmont, Minnesota. During this time, Pat served God through mission work in various countries, including Bolivia and Jamaica. After leaving the ministry, Pat became a Soil Technician and worked with his brother Steve running their business, Lawler Environmental, until retiring due to health issues.
Pat married Carlene Rollag on August 15, 1992, in rural Rock County, Minnesota. Their daughters, Molly and Katie joined them in 1996 and 1999, respectively. Pat’s greatest joy was his family and no prouder father could be found as he loved to brag about his girls and their accomplishments. He considered them his greatest blessings and taught them as much as he could about cherishing life during the short time he had with them. In 2008 he was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer and journeyed through every day of his battle with hope, courage, determination, resilience, and of course, a strong faith in God. He amazed us all with his motivation and drive to get better, never complaining, and facing every struggle with a positive attitude. He deserved so many more years on this earth, but he lived every one of his days as the blessing it was and taught us all to enjoy the good things in life. Pat enjoyed walking, running, biking, swimming, fishing, gardening, backpacking, reading, watching TV, and spending time in his beloved wood shop working on endless projects. Pat took pride in his Irish heritage, maintaining his lawn with his John Deere mowers, feeding the birds, and shooing away the squirrels. He was always there for his family and friends, offering his wit and wisdom. We treasure all the time we had with him. Knowing and loving him has been our joy and privilege. Although he will be dearly missed, he will be forever in our hearts. We are so happy that he has been freed from his struggles and is now at his eternal home. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who participated in his care and the support of our family. A special thanks to his Oncologist, Dr. Molina, who not only walked through Pat’s 15-year cancer journey with him, but became a special friend along the way.
Pat is survived by his wife of 30 years, Carlene; daughters Molly (Mark Cismoski) of La Crescent, MN, and Katie (Nate Bauer) of Lakeville, MN; two brothers, Tim (Patricia) of Rochester, MN, and Steve (Brenda) of Eyota, MN; and many loving nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents and infant sister, Mary Jo.
The Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, February 10, 2023, at St. Frances of Assisi Catholic Church in Rochester with Fathers Joe Fogal and James Berning officiating. Visitation will begin one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be in the Zumbrota Cemetery.
Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com
Condolences
The family of Patrick A. Lawler has received the following condolences.
Patrick was my cousin and he was also my friend from an early age. His dad Dick Lawler often took Pat, Tim, my brother Rich and me fishing on the Mississippi River: West Newton, at Minneiska fishing from the railroad bridge, and the Wabasha backwaters were magic places and those days were magic times for me and for all of us.
Pat was called too soon from this earth, and we send condolences to his family and friends.
May Pat rest in peace!
Dennis Lawler and Martha Lawler
Steve and extended Lawler family- May God bless you and give you peace. Sorry for your loss. Love and prayers Jeanne
Dear Carlene and Family,
Our sincerest condolences to you, Molly and Katie.
Pat and I were close in age, I just 8 months older. We both attended RCC and finished our business degrees at Winona State.
When I came home to visit my dad I would occasionally stop by and catch him at the office for a visit and get caught up with our lives. What a truly gentle and gracious soft spoken man. I last spoke to Pat at Aunt Margarets funeral.
May you and your family experience the peace and joy Pat gave to so many others.
Bob Lawler
Carlene, Molly and Katie; Tim and Steve,
Prayerful sympathy on the death of Pat. I am grateful for our friendship in college and theology school. I learned a lot from him especially as he was even tempered and rooted in prayer. He had a gentle sense of humor that made his strength all the more authentic. I have a funeral Saturday at the same time, so I will be mindful of Pat's happy repose as well.
Blessings,
Fr Edward McGrath
Katie, I am thinking of you during this tremendous loss. I know how hard it can be to process the death of a parent after prolonged illness, and I am sending you grace, strength, peace and healing prayers. Your father sure sounded like a truly incredible human being. May you find some small comforts in your memories of him.
Allie
Carlene, Molly and Katie,
Christmases and the Rollag reunions won’t be the same without Pat’s wisdom and wit. But he’s going to love his new address!
-Janice
Carlene,
We want to express our sincere sympathy to you and your family. May you feel God’s loving arms surrounding you and upholding you through the difficult days ahead.
Glen & Ann Boeve
Oh Carlene I am so sorry to hear of Pat’s passing. Mine & Christina’s heartfelt sympathy to you and Katie/Molly. Pat fought a long hard battle, cancer is difficult, we both know.
May your memories and your faith hold you close & comfort you during this difficult time. Our love and prayers ♥️
The Drexler Family
Cherie & Christina
Carlene, I am sorry to hear of Pat’s passing. I remember visiting with both of you years ago at Palisade. He seemed like such a great guy. You have all been through a a long health struggle. Remember your time together. May God give you strength at this sad time.
Our hearts and thoughts care with you at this most difficult time.
Our hearts and thoughts care with you at this most difficult time.
Dear Carlene,
My deepest condolences to you and your daughters. I am sure you will miss him dearly. It sounds like he was a wonderful man and dedicated to his family.
Sincerely,
Roberta Nerison-Low
Carlene, Molly and Katie - I was so saddened to hear that you lost Pat this week. I know he was an anchor of your world and such a good, good man. I will be holding you in my thoughts and share his story with my family, who also love you. In peace, Marie Monrad
Carlene, Molly and Katie - I was so saddened to hear that you lost Pat this week. I know he was an anchor of your world and such a good, good man. I will be holding you in my thoughts and share his story with my family, who also love you. In peace, Marie Monrad
Oh Carlene, my dear childhood friend. My heart aches for you and the girls. Jim and I are both so sorry to hear this. Pat certainly has been one of the most courageous people through this journey. You too have been so incredibly strong and he was fortunate to have you by his side. Every time after I saw you I'd tell Jim how I admired your devotion and strength. And you talked of your girls being so proud and supportive to him also. May the sweet memories be of comfort to you all. Sending love and hugs to you. Wish we could be there for his memorial mass but know we are present in thought and prayer.
Linda (Koens) & Jim Barnhart
Pat was a member of a priest fraternity with me and several others. He was more of a listener than a talker, especially when some of us went on and on. But when he did enter the conversation it was always with compassion and understanding, and depth of meaning.
May he rest in peace.
Fr. Don Schmitz
You and this world had to say goodbye to a really, really good man all too soon. Yet Pat's loving soul lives on always and forever with you. Pat truly fought the good fight, finished the race, kept the faith and has earned his crown in Heaven. Our love and prayers are with you, Carlene, Molly and Katie. ~ Don, Mary Anne, Cassie and Susie
So sorry to hear about Pat. He was such a great, caring person. Our prayers and thoughts are with all of you.
Matt and Terri