Patricia “Pat” Day, age 87 of Randolph died on December 23, 2024 at the Evergreen Lodge at Northfield Retirement Center.
Patricia Ann Temple Day was born on October 31, 1937 in Northfield, Minnesota to Harold and Edna (Squier) Temple. She graduated from Northfield High School and St. Olaf College. She earned her Master’s Degree at the University of Minnesota. Pat taught Business at high schools in Stafford Arizona, Florence Arizona, Marshfield Wisconsin, and at Washburn High School in Minneapolis.
On December 28, 1967 she married John Day at Randolph United Methodist Church and began life as a farm wife. John and Pat raised their four sons on the family’s Century Farm. While raising her family she did substitute teaching. She later worked at Castle Rock Bank and at St. Olaf College. In 2008, John and Pat were named the Dakota County Farm Family of the Year.
Horses were always a big part of Pat’s life. In her youth, the family acquired their first horse Frosty, and soon thereafter Fox. While many other horses followed, Pat always maintained that Fox was “the perfect horse” and was the source of many fond memories. She was a charter member of the Rainbow Saddle Club and remained an active member and officer while raising her family. She was proud to be one of “the horse-crazy Temple girls” as fellow saddle club member Al Quie referred to the sisters.
Growing up, the family spent most of their summers at the family cottage on French Lake. Their horses were a major part of these summers at the lake and she maintained lifelong friends as part of the “Fearless Riders Gang”.
At French Lake, Pat developed a lifelong love of swimming. While teaching at Washburn she served as girls’ swim coach. Frequent trips to Lake Byllesby were an important part of her children’s summers. While working at St. Olaf, many lunch hours were spent swimming in the pool.
As a young adult, Pat’s interests included skiing and tennis. She enjoyed gardening and was active in Bridge clubs. Pat was a woman of strong faith and placed her trust in Jesus. She was an active member of Christ (formerly Randolph) United Methodist Church. She served in many capacities: Sunday School teacher and superintendent, lay leader, Bible Study leader, and many, many committees. The family’s several station wagons shuttled many area kids through church activities, Cub Scouts, and 4-H.
In retirement John and Pat remained on the family farm. They enjoyed travelling and continued to be active in their community and church. For a few years in retirement, Pat worked part time at Dole Explosives.
Pat is survived by her sons Mike, Matt, and Daniel (Rebecca); sister Sharon (Dick) Engdahl; sisters-in-law Ellie Temple and Karen Nelson; and her nieces and nephews. Her husband of nearly 57 years, John, preceded her in death by five days. She was also preceded in death by her son David; parents Harold and Edna Temple; siblings Norman (Helen) Temple, Duane Temple, Bernie (Bert) Reese, and infant sister Nadine; Father and Mothers-in-Law Donald and Dorothy Day and Grace Day; and brother-in-law Noren Nelson.
A Celebration of John and Pat's Lives was held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, December 28th at the Christ United Methodist Church of Cannon Falls. Visitation was held for one hour prior from 10-11AM. Interment will be held at a later date in Lakeside Cemetery of Randolph.
Arrangements are with Bierman, Benson & Langehough Funeral Home & Crematory. www.northfieldfuneral.com
