Patrick R. Wilkie

Patrick’s Circle of Life on Mother Earth began on November 30th, 1950, when God introduced the world to an amazing, creative child who became a talented and gifted man, Patrick Richard Wilkie.

Patrick was born to Stella LaForte and Patrick Wilkie in Devils Lake, ND. He was a proud member of the Anishinaabe nation and an enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa (TMBC). As the oldest of his siblings, Patrick was often caretaker, entertainer, and cook. He once wanted to give his brothers and sisters a treat by baking a cake. Not knowing how to make frosting, he only baked it for half the time needed, so that the unbaked middle could be their frosting! His brother, Dave, was his constant companion and his sister, Georgie, was his “right-hand man”! Patrick and his family lived in several places and attended many schools, with Pat graduating in 1970 from Flandreau Indian School in South Dakota. Pat completed an Associate Degree at North Dakota State College of Science in diesel mechanics.

In 1976, Leann Ronsberg met the cutest guy she’d ever seen while eating out with her mom and dad at the Eagles in Jamestown. They were married in 1980 and were blessed with four beautiful, much-loved children: Rebecca (Troy Clark) Wilkie, Jeremiah (Jenny) Wilkie, Tashina Wilkie, and Shadae (Stewart) Harrison. These four blessed them with 14 wonderful grandchildren.

Patrick was certified as an engineer for the Burlington Northern Railroad, and he loved his job! He helped initiate, guide, and support many railroad employees during his involvement with the BNSF’s Operation Stop program. He was also extremely active with the railroad’s Operation LifeSaver program, and it was during the time he worked on the Fort Peck Reservation in Montana that he added another son to our family, Jose (Keena) Figueroa, a policeman in Fort Peck. Patrick and Leann were also blessed to “adopt” several other children including Bud, Brad, Zane Young and Shinoah Young Cheechoo.

Patrick was a genius at fixing everything he touched. He completely remodeled our home, did all the maintenance of our cars, and could repair anything that needed fixing. Patrick loved NASCAR, auctions, WW2 movies, documentaries AND, his shop, which he built from the ground up. After 40 years of railroading, he retired. On the same day he signed his retirement papers, he got a job at Titan Machinery sweeping floors, but when they noticed he was assisting the staff, they immediately promoted him to a full-time mechanic. He later worked at Acme Electric and when he finally retired from there, he became everyone’s handyman.

He could heal some of Leann’s, and his other family and friends’ greatest hurts and sorrows with his incredible sense of humor and his sweet way of loving and reassuring!
He gave his family the gift of 45 years of sobriety and passionately prayed for the sobriety of his family, his native brothers and sisters and all those suffering from the disease of addiction. Patrick was given his Anishinaabe name “wapeski assini” (White Stone) by his cousin while participating at a sun dance in Canada.

Patrick’s Journey on Mother Earth was completed on August 1, 2025 when he passed away at Sanford Hospital in Fargo, N.D. after complications from surgery for a brain tumor. His final gift was as an organ donor.

He was preceded in death by his parents, several siblings (infants Tammy and Michael, and his brother, Troy), two grandchildren (Kaylor and Jai), a nephew (Patrick), a great niece (Carmen), sister-in-law (Janna), many Aunties and Uncles, and many beloved friends.

He is survived by his wife, Leann, his children, his “adopted” children, his grandchildren–Kayleen, Alexis, Kelsie, Jared, Josiah, KayLa, Mia, David, Ninmakwa (Nina), Ronin, Theron, Leianna–and 11 great grandchildren, Sheila Specht (Mom), his siblings, Dave (Shavonne) Wilkie, Georgie (Ed) Schonert, Willie Wilkie, Suzanne Wilkie, Todd Wilkie, Leora Wilkie, John (Lisa) Ronsberg, and Donald “Buddy” Ronsberg, and many cherished nieces and nephews.

The family would like to sincerely thank all who have been so kind with prayers, food, support, and love during Pat’s hospitalization, and since his passing. A special thank you to those contributing to Pat’s Celebration of Life, Pastors Pete Pederson and Ed Nugent, Wayne Trottier, Jr., Willie Wilkie, Barb Swanson, David Trottier, Marilyn Laducer, Scott Thompson, Deb DeWitz, and all those who brought food and helped in the kitchen.

Patrick’s family will be holding a Celebration of Life service at 11:00 am, Saturday, August 9, 2025 at Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church fellowship room.
700 16th Ave SE Minot, ND 58701.