Mary Ellen (Duran) Patlan

   In Loving Memory of Mary Ellen Patlan   

Mary Ellen Patlan, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and sister, passed away peacefully on December 14, 2023, at the age of 88, at the Mayo Clinic Hospital, St. Mary’s Campus. Born Maria Elena, on April 9, 1935, in Asherton, Texas, to Eleno and Amelia (Zavala) Duran, she was one of 16 siblings. Her family later moved to Carrizo Springs, Texas. After moving to Chicago, as a young woman, she reconnected with a family friend, Edmundo Patlan. It wasn’t long and the two were married back in Carrizo Springs at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church. They lived in Chicago for many years, where they were blessed with four children. In 1977, the family moved to Red Wing, Minnesota. When her children were older, Mary went back to school and attended Red Wing Vo-Tech and received her LPN degree. She worked at St. John’s Hospital for 18 years on the medical/surgical floor, until her retirement. Faith was very important in Mary’s life. Daily she prayed the Rosary and she was an active member at the Church of St. Joseph, where she had been involved in Mission Sewing, Faith Formation, Renew Church Group and was a charter member of the Hispanic Ministry. Mary loved her family dearly, and also loved helping others. Being able to cook for them and feed them brought her great joy. She was a selfless woman, always putting others needs before her own, and always wanting to give rather than receive. She loved being with family and this often-meant family road trips to visit relatives. Together the family embarked on many road trips to Texas, Colorado, Michigan and Ohio throughout the years. In retirement, she and Edmund often spent their winters in Texas’ warmer weather.

Mary Ellen’s legacy of love and care will forever be cherished by her husband of 67 years, Edmund Patlan of Red Wing; her children, Stephen (Julie) Patlan of Montgomery, MN, Gilbert Patlan of Los Angeles, CA and Sandy (Keith) Gernentz of Red Wing, and Diana (Brian) Wilson of Cedar Creek, TX; 6 grandchildren, Amanda (Richie Frank) Gernentz, Lauren (Nate Perry) Gernentz, Anthony Wilson, Christopher (Margriet) Wilson, Elena (Coleman Gamble)Wilson and Desiree Wipperling; siblings: Cynthia Silva, Mucio Duran, Ramon Duran, Gloria Sanford, Olga Cardenas, Diana Romo, Daniel Duran and Johnny Duran, as well as her extended family and friends whose lives she deeply touched. She was preceded in death by her parents, and her siblings: Gilbert Duran, Eufemio Duran, Florentina Cavazos, Aurelia Lara, Eleno Duran Jr., Rosalinda Duran, and Yolanda Guiterrez.

A Memorial Service will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, at the Church of St. Joseph. Visitation and prayer service will be 4-7 p.m. on Monday, April 8, 2024 at Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel and for one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery in Red Wing.  Memorials are prefered to any organization that benefits children or families with food, shelter, clothing, tutoring or mentoring.

May Mary Ellen rest in eternal peace, knowing that her life is a testament to the power of kindness and the importance of putting others’ well-being above her own.