Patricia Louise (Gnitka) Pool

Patricia Louise Pool, age 94 of Zimmerman, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Thursday, January 1, 2026. She was born in Watertown, MN on August 25, 1931 to John and Catherine (Rumpza) Gnitka.

Pat was elected homecoming queen in the fall of 1948 and graduated from Watertown High School in 1949. Pat met the love of her life, Lyle, on her 18th birthday. On August 26, 1950, Patricia Gnitka and Lyle Pool were united in Holy Matrimony at St. Joseph’s Church in Delano, MN. They were blessed with seven children. They moved to a farm in Watertown in 1963 where she enjoyed tending to her flower garden, driving tractor, milking cows, crocheting, raising their 7 children, and her little dog. They later made their home in Zimmerman in 1982. Pat contracted polio as a young adult, but that did not slow her down; when she was 55 years old, she learned to drive with a left-footed pedal and obtained her driver’s license. Lyle would call her the “Road Runner” after she was able to drive on her own.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Lyle Pool; parents, John and Catherine Gnitka; and siblings, Jean and Ralph.

Pat is survived by her children, Sharon (Gene) Weber, Keith (Judy) Pool, Randy (Barb) Pool, Rick (Karen) Pool, David (Angie) Pool, Sheldon (Jozette) Pool, Sandy (Chris) Hanlon; grandchildren, Michelle (Tony) Bayer, Mike (Rachel) Weber, Ryan Pool (Stephanie), Rob (Georgia) Pool, Ross Pool, Cassi Pool, Morgan Pool, Colton Pool, Kate (Brett) Jonas, Elin Pool, Ashely Pool, Makayla (Joey) Stenslie, Jacob Pool, Luke Pool, Aly (Blake) Howard, Carly Hanlon, Caitlyn Hanlon, Brayden Hanlon; 12 great-grandchildren; beloved dog, Bailey; and many other family and friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, January 9, 2026 at 11:00 AM, with visitation one hour prior, at Christ Our Light Catholic Parish, 11700 293rd Avenue NW, Princeton, MN. Burial at St. Pius X Cemetery, Zimmerman, MN.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Dare’s Funeral Home of Elk River, MN. 763-441-1212. www.daresfuneralservice.com.

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