Gertrude ""Pat"" Kielty

Pat Kielty, age 87, of Litchfield, died at Meeker Memorial Hospital in Litchfield on Saturday, January 3, 2009. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM on Monday, January 5, 2009, at Church of St. Philip in Litchfield with Father Joe Steinbeisser & Father Al Ludwig officiating. Visitation will be held from 5:00-8:00 PM on Sunday, January 4, 2009, at Augustana Memorial Chapel and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Daughters of Isabella will say the rosary at 5:00 PM & parish prayers will be held at 7:30 PM. Interment will be in the St. Philip Catholic Cemetery. Gertrude Patricia "Pat" Kielty was born to William and Margaret (Ackerman) Cashman on March 12, 1921, in Manannah, MN. She grew up and attended school in Eden Valley, graduating in 1939. She enrolled in St. Cloud State University and graduated in 1943 with a degree in teaching. Pat was united in marriage to the love of her life, James Kielty, on August 14, 1944, in Honolulu, Hawaii. They were blessed with ten beautiful children. Pat took a leave from the paid workforce and began her most important job ever-raising her children in the Watkins area. Pat resumed a full time career in 1967, and was hired by Meeker County Social Services. Pat was a social worker and later promoted to social services supervisor. During her tenure, Pat took her job to heart and had a natural ability to build bridges & collaboration among many entities including providers, co-workers, and the people she served. Pat was a driving force acting as an advocate, architect, and trouble shooter on the ground level of many projects affecting countless lives. She was an integral part of building many foundations in Meeker County including the DAC, now ProWorks, the Community Homes for the developmentally disabled, and Red Castle that serves the mentally disabled, to name a few. Pat had a passion for returning people to their homes and communities from institutions because it was simply the right thing to do. She had compassion and respect for all people and believed in their inherent goodness. After nearly 20 years of service, Pat retired in 1987. In addition to her accomplishments in social services, Pat served her community in a volunteer capacity. She volunteered for Salvation Army and Litchfield Area Hospice. She was a board member of Dinetons. Pat was an active member at Church of St. Philip and was a member of Daughters of Isabella. Pat filled many roles in her 87 years. Those that she cherished most were wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Her love for her family was immeasurable. Pat will be profoundly missed and forever treasured in the hearts of those she leaves behind. Pat is survived by her children: Terri (Mark) Thell of Wrenshall, MN, Jim (Deb) Kielty of Chaska, Colleen Kielty of Ft. Walton Beach, FL, Peg (A.J.) Cook of Mahtomedi, MN, Lou (Jeff) Hoff of Hutchinson, Tom (Tamra) Kielty of Elkhorn, WI, Charlie (Lucy) Kielty of St. Cloud, MN, Camille Kielty (Robin Forbes) of Roswell, GA, Gwen (Tom) Simonson of Shoreview, MN; daughter-in-law Shorty Kielty of St. Cloud, MN; 21 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; and many other loving relatives and friends. Pat is preceded in death by her husband James Kielty; son, Brad Kielty; grandson, Dustin Hoff; 3 brothers Harold, Dan and Bill Cashman; 2 sisters, Irene Ludwig, Mary Kelm; sister-in-law, Bea Cashman; 2 brothers-in-law, Alex Ludwig, Ervin Kelm.