Patricia "Pat" J. Sohlstrom

Patricia Jeanne (MacKay) Sohlstrom

Pat, of Duluth Township, was born to James A. and Evelyn P. (Peterson) MacKay on October 17, 1953. She took her last exit ramp on the Highway of Life on Friday September 12, 2025.

Pat started her journey in Homecroft, attending Homecroft Elementary, Washington Junior, and graduating from Duluth Central with the class of 1972. She attended UMD and graduated with honors from Duluth Business University in 1977.

She worked for several years at St. Mary's Hospital. There she was a manual Elevator Operator, and was the last Elevator Operator in the city of Duluth. Pat then went to work for Diamond Drilling and Supply where she meticulously kept the books for over 42 years.

Pat and Dale Sohlstrom were married on July 20, 1974 and enjoyed 51 years of marriage.

Pat's greatest love was for her family. Her children and grandchildren brought her immense joy. She was very proud of her children and doted on her grandchildren.

She was a very artistic and creative person. She loved to draw, paint and engage in many craft activities. She volunteered many hours each year making colorful, crafty items that were sold at Knife RIver's Julebyen Celebration. Pat was a skilled quilter, having created many beautiful quilts, some of which were honored with awards. She was a part of a Quilt Guild and also part of a small group of quilters who got together several times a year to go to "Quilt Camp".

Pat loved rocks and hunting for them. She was always on the lookout for agates, gemstones and other "pretty rocks". She never came home from any adventure or vacation without a bucket of rocks.

She loved birds, plants and flowers. She knew most native birds, as well as a lot about plants and gardening. Her flower gardens were special to her, and her irises were her favorite.

As an active, lifetime member of the Minnesota Street Rod Association, Pat was involved with, and enjoyed being a part of the classic car community. Many vacations and adventures were taken in one of the family's hot rods. Cruising in her '66 Skylark with the top down, rapping the pipes, always gave her a huge smile. She was also known to make a pass or two down the dragstrip at BIR.

Pat was an active member of Lakeside Presbyterian Church, where she was an ordained Deacon, served on the Memorial Scholarship Committee, and was a member of the Lydia Circle.

She was a member of the Swedish Cultural Society of Duluth, and was on their Board of Directors. Pat helped organize many of their events, including the annual Sankta Lucia Festival.

Pat was preceded in death by her parents, James and Evelyn MacKay. She is survived by her husband, Dale; her son, Thor (Jenni); her daughter Laura (Mark) Johnson; and by her grandchildren, Alexa and Camden. Pat is also survived by her brother, Don MacKay.

Celebration of LIfe will be Saturday, September 27, 2025 at Lakeside Presbyterian Church, 4430 McCulloch St. Duluth MN, with visitation at 10:00 am and service at 11:00. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Lakeside Presbyterian Church, or Swedish Cultural Society of Duluth.