A hometown newspaper with a local office, local owners & lots of local news
A hometown newspaper with a local office, local owners & lots of local news
With great sadness, we must share the loss of our beloved Patrick Jeffrey Roers. Patrick left us on the evening of January 8th, 2024, leaving behind a widespread memory of his infectious smile, laugh, and his ability to make even the newest stranger feel like an old friend.
Born as the fifth child (in a family of six kids) on November 16th, 1988, in Buffalo, MN, he spent most of his life growing up in Monticello, MN.
Patrick had a hunger to know about all things in the world - how things worked, how people thought, and what life was really all about. This was a kid who had a lemonade stand featured on the news at 9 years old, cracking jokes like he was Letterman to the reporter. At age 15, he was reading books like the "Art of War" for leisure but then turning around to build epic ramps for his bike, not before taking a guitar or drum lesson. Later, he graduated and went on to discover foreign lands by joining the Air Force, becoming what he always said he wanted to be - a Heavy Machinery Operator. Well, actually, when he was 5, it came out as "I wanna drive dump trucks!"
His hunger for life was a gift and a curse at times. With overwhelming feelings of all he had seen in life, he turned to alcohol for an escape. Some may think this isn't something that we should share or talk about here. However, Patrick battled his addiction for years with humility, failure, determination, and grit, resulting in a life of sobriety for the last three years all the way to his passing. That is something to be celebrated, not hushed. It did not define him, but it was a part of him and his journey.
He is survived by his parents, Judy and Jeff Roers, who were not only his Mom and Dad but his best friends. Seven years ago, he bought land of his own right next to their home on Willow Lake in Deer River, Minnesota. To him, it was his Utopia. He had filled his belly up with the wonders he previously had of the world. So, he was content with the blissful sounds of the wind in the trees and the soft rush of the water on the shore. Some nights, he slept under the stars next to the fire just to feel closer to his beloved nature. He was truly at peace there.
Patrick is also survived by his siblings, Matt, Ellen, Mike, Emily, and Kathryn, who suffer the loss of their "Bubba" with their parents, as well as his siblings-in-law who loved him like their own. Nephews and nieces will remember him as "fun Uncle Bubba" who took them on four-wheeler rides when their parents weren't looking, along with extended family who cared for him deeply and many friends who adored him.
Family and friends are welcome for reviewal from 10 am to 11 am on Tuesday, January 16th, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Grand Rapids, followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 11 am.
Please join us to celebrate the journey of this truly beautiful soul. Patrick would not want this time to be filled with tears and somber faces. And although there will be some of that, he'd also want us to laugh, smile, reminisce... oh, and joke; he'd want us to tell jokes.
In lieu of floral tributes or material gifts, we humbly request those who shared a close bond with Patrick to consider contributing to the dedicated GoFundMe campaign. Your gracious donations will not only assist in alleviating the financial burdens associated with funeral arrangements but will also aid in settling any remaining financial obligations. Along with a meaningful contribution to the Alcoholic Anonymous, a cause close to Patrick's heart.
Rest in peace our beloved Son, Brother, Nephew, Cousin and Friend. We will love you always, Patrick.
