Patrick J. Callaghan

Obituary Patrick Jay Callaghan was born on October 20, 1978 in Alexandria, the son of Jeff and Deb (Vangstad) Callaghan. He was baptized and confirmed at First Lutheran Church in Alexandria. He graduated from Jefferson High School in 1997 where he played football and was voted MVP on his baseball team. Pat graduated with a Criminal Justice degree from Brainerd Junior College and also a Law Enforcement degree from the Alexandria Technical College. Pat started his career in Law Enforcement with the Douglas County Sheriff?s Department Water Patrol. He then worked for the Glenwood Police Department, where he was awarded the Distinguished Service Award from the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Assn. for beyond the call of duty. Pat returned to Alexandria in 2007 to join the Alexandria Police Department. Pat grew up in Alexandria and touched the lives of many people. He used his big smile and his big heart to make people feel at ease and he gained respect from his fellow officers by his hard work and humility. He was a role model for high school students by the way he presented himself and by the way he took time to talk with the students. Pat was always active with hunting, fishing, weight lifting and sports throughout his life. He was involved with sports in high school; he played college baseball; and also played on the Alexandria Senators and the Carlos Cougars Baseball teams. He played volleyball, golf and most recently enjoyed playing softball. Pat would like to make others laugh by cracking a joke or with his quick wit and one-liners. He was also lovingly known as an over protective ?Big Brother? for his little sister Lisa. Pat was wonderful son, brother, grandson, nephew and boyfriend. He will be missed by those who knew and loved him. Patrick J. Callaghan died on Saturday, January 30, 2010 at the Hennepin County Medical Center from a snowmobile accident at the age of 31 years old. He is survived by his parents Jeff and Deb Callaghan of Alexandria; sister Lisa Callaghan (fianc� Mike Weiskopf) of Ham Lake, MN; grandparents Orville Vangstad of Sauk Centre, MN; Ardell Callaghan-Nelson (Dick) of Alexandria; significant other Steph Anton of Alexandria; aunts Kim Mari Callaghan of Alexandria; Diane (Dick) Trisko of Rochester, MN; Pat Abbott of Alexandria; Susie (Joe) Ruh of Big Lake, MN; Lori (Doug) Dewey of Eden Prairie, MN; Becky (Derek) Maffei of Buffalo, MN; uncles Steve (Kim Renee) Callaghan of Alexandria; Bob (Karen) Vangstad of Osakis, MN; Terry (Sandy) Vangstad of Fargo, ND; many cousins; and his best hunting dog Bree. He was preceded in death by his grandmother Lorraine Vangstad and grandfather Jerry Callaghan. A funeral service was held on Wednesday, February 3, 2010 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church with the Reverend Wade Meyer officiating. Ken Bakalyar and Sue Nelson provided music. Interment was in the Kinkead Cemetery. Casket Bearers were Jake Callaghan, Jay Trisko, Brent Grewe, Keith Melrose, Scott Karl, Tony Golden, Ryan Cook, Chad Schroeder, and Rob Stanley. Honorary Casket Bearers were the Alexandria Police Department, Douglas County Sheriff?s Department, and the Minnesota State Patrol. Law Enforcement Honors were performed by the Douglas County Sheriff?s Honor Guard and the Law Enforcement Memorial Association. Arrangements are with the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria. www.andersonfuneral.net