Patrick McGrath



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Patrick J. McGrath, 78, of Faulkton, passed away Tuesday, May 9, 2017 at Sanford Hospital, Sioux Falls.

Funeral Mass was held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, May 15, 2017 at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, Faulkton, with Father Christopher Hughes, celebrant. Burial followed in St. Thomas Catholic Cemetery with military honors. A wake service was held at 4:00 p.m., Sunday, May 14, 2017, with visitation one hour prior at the church.

Patrick J. McGrath was born March 10, 1939 in St. Peter, Minnesota to Terrance and Margaret (Hoven) McGrath. He attended school in Hoven, graduating from high school in 1959. Following graduation, he entered the United States Navy, serving his country for four years. 

On June 15, 1965, Pat was united in marriage to Sandra Vopat. They were blessed with five children: Trina, Jim, Wanda, Robert, and Kathy. Pat was passionate for dirt work and loved time in his loader as he owned "McGrath Dirtwork". He was forced into retirement in 2008 as a result of a stroke. He also had a passion for hunting and the Veterans of Foreign Wars “VFW”. Pat combined these passions into the VFW Disabled Veterans Pheasant Hunt, which he and Sandy, along with the Faulkton VFW post and Auxiliary held annually for 12 years. 

Pat loved his family and adored his children and grandchildren. His life will be cherished by his wife, Sandy, of nearly 52 years; his children: Trina (Dean) Herll of Brandon, Jim McGrath of Clarkfield, MN,  Wanda (Brad) Hanson of Faulkton, Robert (Jenny) McGrath of Harrisburg, and Kathy (Brian) Simpson of Herrick; his grandchildren: Courtney Herll of Moody Air Force Base, GA, Marissa Herll of Brandon, Seantae Read of Granite Falls, MN, Kelsey and Jordon McGrath of Clarkfield, MN, Kayleen McGrath of Omaha, NE, Brandi Hanson of Aberdeen, Logan Hanson of Faulkton, Lexi Thompson of Harrisburg, Madie and Kylinn McGrath of Harrisburg, and Abbie, Andy, and Alex Simpson of Herrick; great grandchildren: Zander Mohs and Zayden Read of Granite Falls, MN; mother-in-law, Katherine Vopat of Faulkton; his siblings: Matt (Gloria) McGrath of Saskatoon, Canada, Greg (Linda) McGrath of Hoven, Sandy (Ken) Pfiefer of Aurora, NE, Sheila Hoke of Sturgis, Bill (Norma) Litchenberg of Grafton, NE, Janice Litster of Sturgis, and Noel Doerr of Agar; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents: Terry and Margaret McGrath; father-in-law, Lambert Vopat; siblings: Marcelline Hunnel, Margie Potter, Francis McGrath, Terry McGrath, and infant brother Bobby Joe McGrath; step-brother, Tom Dunn; brothers-in-law: Harold Hunnel, Al Hoke, Dennis Doerr, Roger Vopat, and Dan Potter; sister-in-law, Mary Ann Witte; infant grandson, Adam Simpson; nieces, Stephanie Hunnel and Mary Ann Witte; and nephews: Terry McGrath, Chip Lindbloom, and Monty Hoke.

Luce Funeral Home of Faulkton has been entrusted with Patrick’s arrangements.