Patricia Knee

Pat crossed over at home on October 26, 2023, surrounded by her loving family. She valiantly battled cancer that began in 2021. When it came back with a vengeance in September 2023, she made the brave choice to begin hospice and choose what life she had left on her terms. Her youngest sister, Diane, eased Pat's worries about where hospice would take place by providing overnight care, while her daughters took daily shifts, and the three of them (fondly Pat's Posse) allowed her to spend her final days at home. They will treasure their time with her; hearing stories, sharing giggles, and learning how to best fulfill Pat's final wishes. Pat handled each day in hospice care with the same style and grace she was known for, and was at peace knowing she was about to embark on a beautiful new journey. The hospice staff showed us there truly are angels on earth with their tender care helping Pat live her last days as pain-free as possible and with comfort and dignity.

Pat was born on June 30, 1945, at Winona General Hospital to Frank and Marcella (Vogel) Pomeroy. She graduated from Cotter High School and began working the candy counter at Grants. When one of her former teachers ran into her at Grants, she knew Pat was meant for more and worked behind the scenes to set up a job interview for her. A few Sundays later Pat got a phone call, hopped on a bus, completed the interview, and began on a career path that spanned 28 years. Pat served as Secretary/Assistant to four Presidents of the College of Saint Teresa from the fall of 1963 through its closing process in 1991, a job she truly loved. She then worked for Saint Teresa Campus Schools and later at the Minnesota Marine Art Museum.

She and her high school sweetheart, William (Bill) R. Knee, were married on October 24, 1964, and had two daughters, Kristin and Lisa. Bill passed away in July 2014.

Over the years, Pat belonged to the Mrs. Jaycees, the Goodview Activity Group, Women in Business, and volunteered with Treasures Galore, the Red Cross, and CSTea House.

Pat enjoyed theatre, art, music, and all things beautiful. Above all, she loved her family and treasured moments spent with them. An avid reader, Pat never met a book she didn't like. To say she loved fashion and enjoyed shopping would be an understatement. It brought her great joy from her hospice bed to send her girls and sister to her closets (yes, plural!) to grab an article of clothing or piece of jewelry she wanted them to try on and take home with them. One of her mantras was: "Life is short - buy the shoes, take the trip, eat the cake." She and Bill enjoyed golfing and traveling, especially to Hawaii, Cancun, and the Florida Keys. Later, Pat and Dennis Maier, her partner since 2017, traveled as much as they could. She treasured the amazing friends she gained during all of her travels, and the lifelong friends she stayed in contact with.

Pat is survived by her daughters and their families; Kristin (Mike) Graham and her children Brian, Alex (Kacey), Michael (Samy), and Jenny Russell and Mike's children; Mindy, Matthew, Nikie, Ryan, and Brent; and Lisa Gaede and her son Andrew Barum (Ella Bielefeldt); Pat's siblings Eileen (Lou) DeLario, Frank (Patty) Pomeroy, Bob (Betty) Pomeroy, Dave Pomeroy, Jim (Kathy) Pomeroy, Mary (Verdonn) LeFevere, Diane Pomeroy, and Joe (Barb) Pomeroy; great-grandson Maddox Tanner-Russell; baby boy Russell due in December 2023, sisters-in-law Marilee Barrientos and Cheryl (Charles) Schendel; and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, cousins, and many friends. She was preceded in death by Bill, her parents, grandparents, brother Dan, partner Dennis Maier, aunts and uncles, and an infant sister and brother.

Visitation will be at Hoff Funeral Home, Goodview, MN on Wednesday, November 1, from 5-7 p.m., ending with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials will be arranged by the family.