Obituary for David Francis Fitzpatrick

He grew up in the Brownsville area and enjoyed being outdoors. He gained many life experiences working for a variety of farmers and businesses. He attended elementary school in Brownsville and Loretta High School in Caledonia, MN, where he played baseball and boxed. He served two tours of duty in Vietnam as a helicopter crew chief in the late 60s. For a time after Vietnam he was a free spirit. He attended Winona State (College) University and graduated in 1972. He continued to travel around the country and lived and worked in Florida, Arizona and Wisconsin for short periods of time, always coming back to Brownsville. While living in Wisconsin he worked for the Milwaukee Railroad. After making his home in Brownsville he was a self-employed painter.

While attending Winona State College he met his wife, Kathleen. They married in 1977 at Zion Church.

David was an avid hunter (squirrel, deer in our area, and rabbit in Western MN) throughout most of his life. He loved nature and being outdoors: cutting and splitting wood to heat our home, hunting, canoeing, biking, kayaking, cross country skiing and walking with his dogs (Pete, Elsa, Ralph, Buddy, Rosa and Luka). He loved the fall.

David had a love of reading, especially nonfiction and usually used the library to get his reading material. He had many friends along his life journey and enjoyed visiting one to one or in smaller groups. He was interested in hearing about people’s lives. He spent more time in his later years going for daily walks, doing jobs around the house and yard, listening to music and the radio, or sitting in his recliner reading and watching a variety of sporting events and other factual or adventure programs on TV. David was a life long St. Louis Cardinal fan (though he enjoyed watching the Brewers, too.) He was a humble man who was on the quiet side.

He is survived by his wife, Kathy, of 48 years and his current furry friend, Luka. Sisters-in-law Pat Fitzpatrick and Karen Fitzpatrick and several nieces and nephews and their families. Brother in-law Delmer (Dorothy) Ideker, Sisters in-law; Phyllis Buchner, Ruth Proksch, Jean Ideker, Letha Ideker, Arliss (David) Seymour, and their families and many friends.

David was preceded in death by his parents, infant brother Joseph Fitzpatrick, sister Rosemary Bach, brothers Howard Fitzpatrick and Jim Fitzpatrick, brother in-law Barney Bach. Brothers-in-law; Bill Ideker, Arnold Ideker, Virgil Buchner, Bill Proksch, and several good friends.

A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at 1:30 pm. Visitation from 11:30 a.m. until time of service at Zion Evangelical Church in Brownsville. In lieu of flowers or plants you are encouraged to involve your family in nature activities, plant a tree in memory of David, make a donation to a charity of your choice or one that helps children and others with their medical conditions: Mercy Ships or Smile Train.

Fredrickson Funeral Homes and Crematory assisted with the arrangements.

Online condolences may be offered on this website.