Patrick J. "Pat" Amiot, age 92, of Crookston, Minnesota, died peacefully early Thursday morning, April 14, 2011, in the RiverView Care Center in Crookston, with his loving family at his side.

Pat was born on the family farm in Kertsonville Township, rural Crookston on July 26, 1918; one of five children of the union of Adrian and Josephine (Vaudrin) Amiot. He grew up on the farm, was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic faith, and attended country school. While working for his father as a young man, Pat also began mowing grass along the township roads. On September 14, 1940 he was united in marriage to Alice D. Noel at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Red Lake Falls, Minnesota. Pat and Alice made their home in Gentilly Township and together raised four children- Joyce, Gerald, Thomas, and Ronald. Pat operated a dairy farm and grew small grains for several years. From 1963-74 he drove his privately owned school bus, taking the children from Gentilly to school in Crookston. Over the years he also did some work for ASCS, measuring fields; was employed part-time at American Crystal Sugar in Crookston; and sold crop insurance. Pat was a devoted member of St. Peter's Catholic Church in Gentilly and did most of the church maintenance. He also served as a supervisor for the Gentilly Township Board for many years. In 1977 Pat and Alice moved into Crookston and Pat worked as a boiler engineer for the Sisters of St. Benedict at Mount St. Benedict. Sadly, Alice died on August 26, 1989. Pat retired from the Mount in 1990, but continued to volunteer his time with the Sisters for several more years. On October 30, 1992 he married Joan Salentine at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Euclid, Minnesota. The couple made their home in Crookston. Pat and Joan were members of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception parish, and were also oblates of the Order of St. Benedict. Pat was an usher at Cathedral for many years. He greatly enjoyed woodworking, but his focus in life always remained with his family and his faith. Pat was gentle in nature, and humble in spirit, and will be missed beyond measure by all who were part of his life.

Pat is survived by his loving wife, Joan; daughter, Joyce (Ron) Heidmann of Grand Forks, ND; 3 sons, Gerald J. "Jerry" Amiot, G. Thomas "Tom" Amiot, and Ron (Diane) Amiot, all of Crookston, MN; 4 grandchildren; and 8 great-grandchildren. He also leaves 4 stepchildren, Cathy (Floyd) Helgoe of Cavalier, ND, Teri (Rick) Chandler of Mankato, MN, Ron (Paula) Salentine of Euclid, MN, and David Salentine of Crookston; 20 step-grandchildren; a step-sister, Dorothy Juhl of Crookston; and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives. In addition to his first wife, Alice, Pat was preceded in death by his parents and step-mother, Florence St. Michel; an infant daughter, who died in 1945; 3 brothers, Louis, Victor, and Tom Amiot; a sister, Henrietta Audette; 2 step-brothers, Ralph and Francis "Fritz" St. Michel; and a step-sister, Lou Kennedy. May God bless Pat's memory.

The Mass of Christian Burial for Patrick Joseph Amiot will be held at 11:00 am, Tuesday, April 19, 2011, in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Crookston with Msgr. Roger Grundhaus, presiding. Visitation will be in the Stenshoel-Houske Funeral Home on Monday from 5- 7:00 pm, with a 7:00 pm prayer service, and at the Cathedral for one hour prior to the funeral. Interment will be in St. Peter's Cemetery, Gentilly.