Patrick "Pete" Wruck

Patrick “Pete” Wruck, age 77 of Grey Eagle, passed away peacefully July 10, 2026 surrounded by his family at his home.

A visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 17 at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose.

Patrick Joseph was born March 18, 1949 to Ervin and Lucille (Barthel) Wruck. He was raised on the family farm near Silver Corners; he resided in that area for most of his life. Patrick has three beautiful children who he was extremely proud of, Kelly (Glenn) Maciej of Burtrum, Chad (Pam) Wruck of St. Cloud, and Nichole (Joe) Holthaus of Bowlus. He has 13 grandkids, Tyler Skwira, Jordan, Emily, Raylynn and Brian Skroch, Caitlin Good, Chloe and Carlie Wruck, Breanna, Kiara, Sofia, Joseph and Jedidiah Holthaus. He was blessed with 14 great grandchildren. He would often be heard boasting to others about his children, favorite sons-in-law, grandkids and great grandkids. Even as he took his last breath, he made sure his daughters were protected.

Patrick had many jobs and was a hard worker, a trait he passed on to his family. He worked on irrigation systems, drove semi and had 39 years with the trade union of International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. His favorite of these was driving a semi-truck. He had a love for the road even in retirement. He just loved driving, as he said the sound of the road was his home. Patrick saw all the states west of the Mississippi on his Harley-Davidson and completed the “Iron Butt” before it was an association. He loved muscle cars, his favorites being his 1968 Pontiac LeMans and his 1979 Pontiac Trans Am. Patrick had a love for the outdoors, if he was nowhere to be found, just look to the woods. While residing in Grey Eagle Township for the last 15 years, he easily hand planted over 1500 trees on the property, contributing to the well over 3,000 trees he had hand planted throughout his lifetime.

Patrick was a proud American who deeply respected the United States Constitution and proudly flew the 1776 flag at all his properties. His hobbies he proudly passed down to his children are building swallow houses, reloading ammunition, target practice, and hunting; always teaching them to respect their weapons. Patrick also enjoyed helping his children with any projects they had, especially if they were planting new trees at their homes. Chad mastered every lesson his dad taught him, bringing extreme pride to his father. In 2023 Patrick married Vivian, always encouraging her personal and professional growth, she remained at his side till his last days. He treasured his time with all his family at Kelly's lake home where he enjoyed delicious meals, sitting in the woods, peaceful pontoon rides, playing cards and making lasting memories with family and friends. Patrick lived up to the meaning of his last name Wruck- meaning cantankerous/stubborn even til his last breath.

Other survivors include his brothers and sisters, Gerald, Darlene Chock, David, Shirley Leyk, Kathleen Gratke, and Brian.

Patrick is preceded in death by his parents, Ervin and Lucille Wruck; brothers, Duane, Richard, and Larry; sister, Sandra Szczech; nephews, Trevor Wruck, David Ratka, and Brian Leyk; great granddaughter, RiverLynn VanNorman; brothers and sisters-in-law, Tom Chock, Bonnie Wruck, Jim Leyk, Gene Gratke, and Jayne Wruck.