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   John Patrick “Pat” Tabaka, Sr., age 90, passed away peacefully on March 12, 2026 at St. Joseph’s Essentia Health Center in Brainerd, MN with his son Nathan by his side, after a brief illness.

   John “Pat” was born on October 11, 1935, in Pine River, MN to John A. and Jeanette Tabaka. He was welcomed home by his older sister Margaret (Peg) and was later joined by brothers Jerry and Peter (Zeke). Pat spent his early years living and working on the family farm. Pat was also an altar boy at the first St. Edward’s Catholic Church. Pat graduated from Longville High School in 1953; in 2010 he bought the property where the old school stood. After graduation, a beautiful young woman from Newtown, Pennsylvania arrived in Longville, sparking his interest. Her name was Maralyn. After a short romance, Pat and Maralyn went back to Newtown and were married on December 3, 1955. A few days after returning from Newtown back to Longville, they had a celebration of their marriage at St. Edwards Catholic Church and began their family. 

   John Patrick (Jack), Jr. was born in May of 1956, Christine Merle (Chris) was born in August of 1957, Shelly Kay was born in March of 1959, followed by William Randall (Randy) in April of 1960. Then on their 6th wedding anniversary, Lisa Dee was born in December of 1961. Thirteen years later, Jennifer Lyn was born in April of 1974, and three years later the family was completed when Nathan Taylor was born in August of 1977. 

   Before moving to Minneapolis in 1961, Pat drove truck for the Tioga Mines in Grand Rapids. When they moved the family to Minneapolis he began his construction career, working for Vern Donays Home Builders and less than a year later he started working for Vanman Construction. After two weeks working for Vanman Construction, Pat was promoted to Foreman, due to his strong work ethic. He also had a short stint working at McDonald’s. After 16 years of employment with Vanman Construction, Pat decided he wanted to move on. Before resigning from his position at Vanman’s, Dick Vanman gave Pat a Chevrolet Truck and $5,000 as a parting gift and then begged him to stay. However, Pat’s path led him back to his hometown of Longville.

   In 1975, the Cole family decided to sell the grocery store and Pat found it as an opportunity to purchase it. Pat built and operated the first One Stop Gas Station and bought the Longville Chevrolet Garage. In 1983, he built the new grocery store on the Chevrolet Garage property. He built many buildings in Longville, including the old Walker Bank building, the Family Tree clothing store, the Professional Office Building on Main Street and the new St. Edward’s Catholic Church. In 1986, he built and operated Patrick’s Fine Dining, followed by Ridgewood Golf Course in 1987, on the old family farm. In 2003, he partnered with his son Nathan to buy and renovate Girl Lake Resort (now Long Birch Lodge). 

   Pat and Maralyn loved their Woman Lake homes, starting on the south end facing north, he then traded land with the Pash family for the land where he currently resided. Pat enjoyed cleaning his yard and feeding the deer out of his bedroom window. He also enjoyed many trips, including one where he met and shook hands with John F. Kennedy at the Minneapolis airport. For over 30 years, Pat and Maralyn enjoyed their second home in Marco Island, Florida. 

   He was a true farmer at heart; tractors, backhoes and dozers were what he loved to work with the most. Gardening was another specialty of his, especially his tomatoes. He was also a gifted storyteller. Whether it was a story about a city, street, building or person, he had a memory. Pat loved a good debate, and he loved his kids and his “poochies.” Although most people did not know, he became very religious in recent years, reading scripture and taking spiritual guidance from his very good friend, Rob Goude. He worked hard and expected those around him to work hard, too. Pat was a builder, not just of buildings, but also of people, friendships and 90 years of memories. 

   Pat is preceded in death by his wife Maralyn of 62 years, his father John, mother Jeanette “Nannie”, sister Peg, brothers Jerry and Zeke, son Randy, daughter Shelly and son-in-law John.

   Pat leaves behind his children: Jack (Laurie) Tabaka, Chris (Jeff) Bednarski, Lisa Tabaka, Jennifer Tabaka (Will) and Nathan (Mandy) Tabaka, his 18 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren. Pat also leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews. 

   A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1 PM on Tuesday, March 24, 2026 at St. Edwards Catholic Church in Longville, with visitation one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at Riverside Cemetery in Longville, MN. 

   Arrangements provided by Whispering Pines Funeral & Cremation Service, serving Northern Minnesota.

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