Patricia Ann Will

Patricia “Pat” Ann Will, age 84, of Mankato, MN, passed away at home on December 11, 2025, surrounded by her family.

Pat was born on February 21, 1941, in Charles City, Iowa, to William “Ed” and Irene Birkholz. She attended a rural one-room school for grades 1–8 before graduating from Charles City High School. After high school, she worked at Minneapolis Honeywell, where she met the love of her life, Marnie Will. The two were married on March 2, 1963, at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico.

Throughout her career, Pat worked in federal civil service at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas; the VA in Sioux Falls; and later spent over 45 years in direct sales as a professional bra fitter and sales representative for Aihu products.

Pat was devoted to her family and never missed her children’s track, football, basketball, or volleyball events. She was an active 4-H leader and a proud member of ZONTA, WEB, TOPS, and the Jayceettes. Pat cherished vacations to Mexico and Canada and treasured the 15 years her family spent at their cabin on Bay Lake. She enjoyed competitive card games such as UNO, Skipbo, Othello, 500, pinochle, and dominoes. Pat also loved shopping, visiting thrift stores and garage sales, and meeting new friends.

A woman of deep faith, Pat was a member of the American Lutheran Synod and was active in the Lutheran church in each community she lived.

She is survived by her husband, Marnie Will of Mankato; her son, Nathen Will of Independence, MN; her daughter, Tonya (Nathan) Steere of Texas; and four grandchildren, Jacob Will of Lonsdale, MN, Sydney Steere of Austin, TX, Londyn Steere of Charleston, SC, and Sam Steere of Baton Rouge, LA. She is also survived by many in-laws, nieces, and nephews.

Pat was preceded in death by her parents, Ed and Irene Birkholz; her brother, David Birkholz; and her daughter-in-law, Gina (Alvig) Will.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.