Jean Ellen Patnode

(December 29, 1937 – September 23, 2025)

Jean Ellen (Roerkohl) Patnode, of Cottage Grove, age 87, passed away peacefully at her home on September 23, 2025.

Jean was born on December 29, 1937, to Catherine McCauley and US Army Major Henry Howard Roerkohl in LaCrosse, WI and grew up in Caledonia, Mn. She married the love of her life, Andre “Andy” Patnode, on June 25, 1955, and together they built a beautiful life centered on faith, family, and love.

Jean loved her family deeply and devoted her married life to caring for her husband and children. She continued that care as the beloved babysitter for many of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was filled with a deep faith that guided and centered her life, and she was a lifelong member of the Church of St. Rita, proudly part of the parish community from its very beginning.

She will be remembered for her wonderful sense of humor—especially the unforgettable family Christmas “list”, her Disney passion—and for the way she made each person feel loved and cherished. Jean truly was the very best wife, mom, and grandma anyone could have, and her family feels profoundly blessed to have been hers.

She is survived by children: Dawn (Jack) Schultz, Deb (Tim) McManimon, Kelly, Gregg (Cathy) Patnode, Steve (Stacie) Patnode, and Scott (Beth) Patnode. Known affectionately as “Gigi,” Jean cherished her grandchildren Jenna Bieze, Katelyn (Randy) Westman, Jonathan (Michelle) Schultz, Matt (Tanya) McManimon, Mandy (Timo) Becker, Mike McManimon, Andrew McManimon, Amy (Jon) Witte, Katie Patnode, Marc Patnode (Ammon Reagan), Luke Patnode, Tanner (Taisha) Douglas, Ashley (Colin) Rarick, Brandon Patnode, Darianne (Thomas III) Comer, Tristan Douglas, Lexi and Ella Patnode, and great-grandchildren Ashlyn & Collins Bieze, Roselyn & Daniel Westman, Sophie & Isabelle Schultz, Bailey & Maeve McManimon, Avery & Alex Becker, Theo Witte, Emerie & Kip Douglas, and Thomas Comer IV, . She is also survived by her siblings Catherine (Kay) Drexler, Tom (Margie) Roerkohl, Ted (Mary) Roerkohl, along with cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Jean was preceded in death by her husband, Andy; her siblings James (Jim) and Virginia (Ginger); and her parents, Catherine and Henry Howard.

Services: Visitation will be held at The Church of St. Rita, 8694 80th St S, Cottage Grove, MN, on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Church of St. Rita.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Cremation Society of Minnesota.