Stanley "Stan" Patyk

Stanley A. “Stan” Patyk, age 93 of Sauk Centre, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family on Tuesday, January 24, 2023 at Fairway Pines Assisted Living in Sauk Centre, Minnesota.

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, January 27 at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Sauk Centre with Rev. Mark Botzet officiating. Inurnment will be in Calvary Cemetery with military honors by the Sauk Centre United Veterans Honor Guard.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Sauk Centre and from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday at the church. Parish prayers will be held at 4 p.m. followed by the Christian Mothers at 5:30 p.m. Thursday evening at the funeral home.

Stanley Albert Patyk was born April 23, 1929 in Little Falls, Minnesota to Adam and Mary (Yendraszak) Patyk and was one of eleven children.  Stanley graduated from Little Falls High School in 1947. He enlisted in the Minnesota National Guard in December of 1950 and served active duty from January 14, 1951 through September 22, 1952 as Staff Sergeant, Ordnance, in Camp Rucker, Alabama.

Stanley married Phyllis Anna Jendro on September 17, 1960 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Flensburg, Minnesota and they moved to Sauk Centre in October of 1960 where they made their home. At the age of 18, Stanley worked for Northwestern Bell Telephone Company as a lineman on a construction crew. He was promoted to cable splicer and then to Cambridge, Minnesota as an installer-repairman. He came to Sauk Centre as a central office technician in the summer of 1959. Stan worked in Sauk Centre until his retirement in 1990. Stan walked to work almost every day for his entire career in Sauk Centre and was known for carrying his U.S. Post Office mailbox lunchbox with him.

He volunteered as a member of the Sauk Centre Fire Department from February 4, 1965 through February 4, 1986 and served as Second Assistant Chief Training Officer. Stan also was a volunteer ambulance driver for ten years.

Stanley was a member of Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church where he served as an usher. He was an avid bowler and served in various positions in local leagues as well as president of the Sauk Centre Bowling Association. Stanley loved to fish year-round, often sharing his catch with others. He and Phyllis enjoyed metal detecting as a hobby and Stan took great pleasure in helping people find lost items. He was always industrious and took great pride in his vegetable garden, maintaining his home, and helping Phyllis with her flower garden. He enjoyed birdwatching, crosswords, and spending time with his family.

Survivors include his five children, Brenda (Debbie Mollison) Patyk of Dayton, Nevada, Amy (Douglas) Azinger of Prior Lake, Guy (Gu Zheng) Patyk of Prior Lake, Chris Ann (Jeffrey) Schneider of Commack, New York, and Jennifer Patyk of St. Paul; five grandchildren, Therese and Lucy (Amy) Azinger, Brandon and Stephanie (Chris Ann) Schneider, and Anthony (Guy) Patyk; and sister, Joanne (William) Wadsworth of Brookings, Oregon.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Phyllis Patyk on June 23, 2007; infant daughter, Marie Annette Patyk on May 26, 1962; parents; brothers and sisters.

Stanley will be remembered for his bright smile and sense of humor, his kindness and generosity, and his philosophical outlook on life.

In lieu of flowers, memorial are preferred for charities.