Patricia W. “Patty” McDonald, 88, died Nov. 15, 2022. Patty Wise was born in Lake City, Nov. 4, 1934, to Verner and Myrtle Wise. Her early years were filled with the “Norman Rockwell” ambiance of a small town, especially in spending hours at the local skating rink in the wintertime.
In 1952 she graduated from Lake City High School as a member of the National Honor Society and subsequently completed training at the Minnesota School of Business.
Patty married Robert McDonald in 1954 and began a family with the arrival of their first of four children in 1955. They moved frequently during their first few years before settling in St. Anthony Park.
In 1974 she began working as administrative secretary at the University of Minnesota Air Force ROTC unit, a position she held for 24 years. During this time, Patty raised a family, attained an Associate of Arts degree and reinvented herself as a strong, self-supporting single woman after a divorce.
Patty had many interests including scuba diving, hiking, traveling, swimming, gardening and long-distance bicycle riding.
Patty remained active well into her 80s until health issues began to ensue. At the end of her life, she retained her fierce independence and chose to enter hospice care.
She is survived by her children, Brian, Shawn, Philip and Julie; 12 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and younger sister Audrey.
Memorials may be made to either the University of Minnesota Bee Research Lab or HealthPartners Hospice. A celebration of life will be held next summer at one of her favorite childhood places, Como Park.
