Dr. Patrick Malone, 72

Dr. Patrick Martin Malone, 72, Sanibel, Florida and Spicer, Minnesota, died September 23, 2009 at his home on Green Lake following a short illness.

Funeral services were held Monday, September 28 at Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic Church. Interment was at the church cemetery. Memorials to Rice Hospice, Habitat for Humanity of West Central Minnesota, Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic Church or Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center are preferred.

Patrick was born June 2, 1937 in Faribault to Francis Harry and Virginia (Havel) Malone. He graduated from Le Sueur High School in 1955 and attended St. John’s University and graduated in 1959 with majors in biology and chemistry. He finished medical school at the University of Minnesota in 1963. Pat married his beloved Wanda Quilitz on April 27, 1963. Following his graduation from medical school, he completed his internship at St Mary’s Hospital in Duluth.

Pat served as a captain in the Air Force from 1964 to 1966 as a flight surgeon. He then began his radiology residency at the University of Minnesota and Veteran’s Administration Hospitals. He completed his residency in 1970.

Pat and Wanda moved their family to Willmar in the summer of 1970. Pat was passionate about his profession as a radiologist. He practiced at Rice Memorial Hospital and surrounding communities until 2005. He enjoyed the camaraderie of his colleagues and associates in health care.

In the early 1980’s, he began to pursue another passion, writing. He immersed himself in creating short stories initially and then proceeded to publish The Deep Woods Trilogy. He based his characters on woodland creatures from his treasured hobby farm. In his stories, he sought to teach lessons on kindness, generosity and faith.

Pat and Wanda have enjoyed wintering in Sanibel, Florida for years and bought a permanent home there in 2000. He enjoyed the paradise of Sanibel but always said, “The only things missing are my children.” He felt he had the best of both worlds living there during the winter and on beautiful Green Lake during the summer. His hobbies included golf, swimming, hunting and snowmobiling.

Pat is survived by his wife, Wanda; sons and daughter, Dan (Trudy) of Pewaukee, WI, Mike (Jamie) of Spicer, Melissa (Dan) of Tonka Bay, Christopher of St. Paul, and Justin (Chelsea) of Apple Valley; nine grandchildren, Hannah, Matt, Catie, Dylan, Aislyn, Alec, Patrick, Addie and Ayven; sister, Mary Ann Antolak of Austin, TX; many relatives and friends.

Pat was preceded in death by his parents; and baby daughter, Rebecca.

Arrangements are with Peterson Brothers Funeral Home in Willmar.

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