Patrick William Smith Jr.

PATRICK WILLIAM SMITH, JR., age 89, of West Saint Paul, MN, formally of Le Center, MN, passed away peacefully on March 28, 2025, at Walker Methodist Care Facility. Visitation will be held on Thursday, April 3, 2025, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, at Schoenbauer Funeral Home in Le Center, MN. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Saint Mary's Catholic Church in Le Center on Friday, April 4, 2025, at 10:00 AM. Visitation will be held for one hour prior to the mass at church. Interment will be held at the Calvary Cemetery in Le Center. In Lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Le Sueur County Sheriff’s Youth Project. The funeral service will be recorded. The recording will be available to view on the funeral home’s website a few days following the service.

Patrick was born on March 2, 1936, in Mankato, MN, to Patrick Sr. and Aggie (Dunn) Smith. He was a graduate of McKinley High School in Le Center. After two years of college at Mankato State, Patrick enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He served from 1954 to 1956 when he was honorably discharged. On September 28, 1957, he married the love of his life for 63 years, Mary Joe Sandberg.

In 1956, Patrick was appointed as Chief Deputy Sheriff of Le Sueur County. In 1978, he was elected Sheriff, and he held that position until 1998. Patrick served the residents of Le Sueur County for 42 years. Patrick's passions included hunting, fishing, and working on his hobby farm. He loved going on hunting and fishing trips with family and friends. He was a member of the Le Center Fire Department (Retired), Knights of Columbus, American Legion Post #108, Ancient Order of the Hibernians, the Minnesota Sheriffs Association, the LeSueur County Sheriff’s Youth Project, North Elysian Silver Lakers Sportsman’s Club, Lion’s Club and was a founding member of the Le Sueur County Mounted Posse.

Patrick is survived by his four children, Theresa (Michael) Reger of Prior Lake; Mike (Lorri) Smith of West Saint Paul; Mark (Donna) Smith of Mora; and Patti Joe Claffey of Saint Louis Park; nine grandchildren, Brett (Marni) Mason, Sarah Jane Mason, Molly Mason, Patrick (Anna Lee) Smith, Michaela (Joe) Smith, Zachary Smith, Callie Smith, Cole Smith, and Katie Joe (Zach) Rohr; five great grandchildren Emma Mason, Ryder Mason, Kal Mason, Clare Smith, and Lily Smith; brother Chris (Sallie) Smith of Madison Lake; sisters-in-law, Suzanne (Duane) Koehler of Rochester and Ann Sandberg of Janesville. He is preceded in death by his wife Mary Joe, his parents, and sisters, Mary Jean Mangan and Kay Smith.

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