Patricia Marie (Urbashich) Mitchell

Age 81, of Minnetonka, Minnesota, passed away on April 20, 2019, surrounded by family at North Memorial Medical Center. 

Pat joined her beloved husband, Jerry, who preceded her in death in 2013.  She was also preceded in death by her parents, Herman and Iola Urbashich, and her sister, Eileen Urbashich.  She is survived by her children Mark, Michelle (Jon) Levine, Monica (Craig) Bongart, and Michael (Amy).  She is known as Grandma Pat (and Grandma Patty Pat) to her ten grandchildren, Jessica and Spenser (Kristin), Jeremy, Jacqueline and Juliet, Emily, Rachel and George, and Ben and Luke. She is also survived by her brother Herm (Marty) Urbasic, and her sister Mary Ann (James) Urbashich.

Pat was born in Moorhead, Minnesota on March 11, 1938 and grew up in the apartment house built and operated by her father.  She was known as “Urby” to her many friends, and there are countless stories, told and untold, of how she ran the neighborhood.  She met the love of her life and soul mate, Jerry, at a high school dance in 1956 and they never looked back.  Marrying in 1960, Jerry and Pat raised a family in Watertown, SD and then for four decades in Minnetonka, MN.  They loved and nurtured their children and grandchildren, traveled the world, and loved each other deeply every day.  Their special travels together included Paris, the Sarajevo Olympics, Scotland, Aspen, and their most cherished spot of all, Spearfish Canyon, SD.

Pat earned a nursing degree and worked for several years in the pediatric ward at the University of MN where she nursed terminally ill children.  During that time, she cultivated what became her defining trait—compassion.  Pat’s efforts to support her family and friends during any time of need were legendary—whether it was a serious crisis, a new child, babysitting, or just a needed hug or talk.  She had a knack for learning and respecting who each person was and for making them feel like they were her “favorite.”

Referred to as “Scooter” by her beloved Jerry, Pat had boundless energy and a thirst for knowledge.  She hosted hundreds of celebrations, enthusiastically hiked, enjoyed skiing, and routinely biked hundreds of miles each summer.  She also loved the study of history, with a particular passion for ancient civilizations and early America, and she studied watercolor and pottery, as well many other crafts.

Her deepest love was reserved for Jerry, so while we will miss her dearly, we are comforted knowing they are walking hand in hand again.

A celebration of Pat’s life will take place on Friday, May 3, 2019 at the Wayzata Community Church, located at 125 Wayzata Boulevard East, in Wayzata, MN.  Visitation starts at 12 pm, followed by 1 pm service.  In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that any memorials be sent in Pat’s name to the Minnetonka Center for the Arts, http://www.minnetonkaarts.org/donate/.

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