Patricia Perkins

Patricia (Pat) Jeanne (Olson) Perkins, 89, of Alexandria, passed away on October 22, 2019, at Bethany on the Lake with family by her side. Pat was born March 23, 1930, in Albert Lea, MN to Ingwald G. and Vera M. (Doud) Olson.

Pat graduated from Albert Lea High School with the class of 1948. She modeled fur coats for an Albert Lea furrier before moving to Minneapolis, where she worked in the office of a children’s clothing manufacturer. Pat married Peter (Pete) J. Perkins in 1950 and had four children during their 21-year marriage.

Soon after their marriage, Pat and Pete moved to a farm near Osakis, MN and in 1960 moved to Alexandria. Although she had fond memories of growing up in Albert Lea, Pat loved the Alexandria area and its people. An avid golfer, she enjoyed many days on the course with friends and played in the Resorters Tournament in the early to mid-1960’s.

Pat stayed home to raise her children before working as the manager of a health club in the early 1970’s. She later spent 20 years as a sales coordinator for a plastic manufacturer, retiring from Juno Tool and Plastic Corp. in 1992. Eight years after retiring from Juno, Pat began working part-time at Juettner Motors where she helped track customer satisfaction until 2010. She enjoyed this opportunity to interact with old friends and make new ones.

Pat’s family and friends were very important to her. She and Pete remained in touch throughout his life, and Pat felt she and Pete were lucky to share in the lives of their children and their families together, gathering in Minnesota or Texas. Pat was in her element when connecting with people and had many good conversations while running errands around town. She always looked forward to catching up with old friends at Albert Lea high school reunions. A true “people person,” Pat’s quick wit and genuine interest in others will be missed by many.

Pat’s family includes: brother and sister-in-law, Richard (Dick) C. and Bonnie Olson (Kingsland, GA); son and daughter-in-law, Scott and Monica Perkins (Spicewood, TX); daughter and son-in-law, Teri Perkins and David Rosenbaum (Lincoln, NE); daughter and son-in-law, Lori (Perkins) and John (Jack) Geris (Alexandria); and son, John Hawkes (Los Angeles, CA). Pat had seven grandchildren: Kristin (Geris) and Kristopher Klemenhagen (Alexandria); Kodi (Geris) and Craig Schroeder (Fargo ND); Jacob Geris (Osseo); Tracy (Rosenbaum) Georgiou (Brooklyn, NY); Bailey (Perkins) and Shawn Coleman (Austin, TX); Kate Rosenbaum and César Ruano (Austin, TX); and Peter B. Perkins (Spicewood, TX).  Pat’s seven great grandchildren are: Hanah Hansen, Hadlee Hansen, Holden Hansen, and Finley Klemenhagen (Alexandria); and Carter Herman, Sophie Herman, and Gracie Geris Schroeder (Fargo, ND).

Pat was preceded in death by her parents and by Peter J. Perkins.

Pat lived her last three years at Bethany on the Lake. Pat’s family would like to thank the staff at Bethany for the care and compassion they showed to Pat and our family during that time. We’d also like to thank Hospice of Douglas County for helping care for Pat, making her more comfortable, and showing all of us such invaluable kindness during the last week of her life.

As Pat requested, family and friends are invited to gather from 2 – 5 p.m. on Saturday, November 23 at the Alexandria Elks Club to share memories and celebrate her life. Memorials to Hospice of Douglas County.