Thayer, Patricia Anne “Pat” (Smith)
age 80, of Blaine, passed away May 26, 2017. She is survived by her loving husband, Arthur “Art” Thayer, of 56 years; her four daughters and their husbands: Deborah Thayer and Charles Scripter; Becky and Ivan Benitez; Susan and Ken Nold; and Margaret Thayer and Jack Bartman; grandchildren Lorena Benitez and Alexandra and Spencer Nold; and many relatives, friends and neighbors. Pat was born on June 26, 1936, in Brainerd, MN, and graduated from Brainerd High School in 1954. She attended Brainerd Junior College and graduated in 1958 from the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth with a teaching degree. Pat had a great love of singing and music, so in addition to teaching at the Catholic School, she also taught clarinet and piano lessons. Mutual friends introduced Pat and Art, and the two were married October 22, 1960, in Brainerd. Teaching and education was Pat's lifelong passion. She taught elementary school in Nashwauk, Richfield, Minneapolis, and eventually in the Anoka-Hennepin School District, retiring from Johnsville Elementary in Blaine. Pat belonged to St. Timothy’s Catholic Church where she was a member of the choir. She was also active in the greater Blaine community, volunteering with Meals on Wheels, serving as a Girl Scout troop leader for many, many years and raising money as a board member for the Blaine High School scholarship committee. Over the decades the Thayer family shared many good times, including camping trips, holiday parties and family reunions. After her retirement, Pat became active in the local Red Hats club and spent time with Art at Long Lost Lake. A celebration of Pat’s life will be held Saturday, June 24, at 2 PM with visitation one hour prior at Kozlak-Radulovich Blaine Chapel (107th Ave. NE & Hwy. 65).