PATRICIA LOBASH

Patricia Ann “Pat” Lobash (born Hegblom, formerly Brandt), was born on January 31, 1940, to Louise and Albert Hegblom—a house cleaner and a truck driver. Pat’s life was filled with grit, determination, and a sharp sense of humor that never dulled.

Pat became a mother at age 17, and by 29 was a divorced, single mother of five. She raised her kids in Nordeast Minneapolis with willpower, an endless supply of love, enough chaos to keep things interesting, and the ability to stretch a dollar across the Lowry Avenue Bridge. 

Pat wasn’t content with just survival; she also had ambition. At age 29, she earned her GED, marched straight into college, and in 1976 she earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota.  Pat poured her passion into education, working as a teacher and eventually as the Director of Menlo Park Alternative School, a place where her students found acceptance and guidance. Pat had a gift for seeing potential where others saw problems, and her fierce belief in people, especially the underdog, changed countless lives.

In 1977, Pat married Michael (Mike) Lobash, adding two stepchildren to her brood. Together, Pat and Mike raised seven kids and built two homes with their own hands, including their home on Knife Lake where generations laughed, played games, ate too much, and made the kind of memories Pat lived for.

After retiring in 1994, Pat and Mike split their time between Minnesota and Mesa, Arizona, fully embracing the snowbird lifestyle. In Minnesota and Arizona, Pat enjoyed lasting friendships, golfing, shopping at thrift stores and garage sales, playing bridge, exercising at the Mesa Moose Lodge, howling at the Mesa full moon parties, and trying her luck at the casino—her “nefarious activity.”

Pat never used paper plates. Even toddlers were expected to dine like royalty—sipping juice from her signature red goblets and nibbling mac and cheese off her best dishes. Her dinner tables were events in themselves: ironed linens, matching tableware, and the kind of elegance that made Tuesday’s Tater Tot hotdish feel like a Christmas dinner.

Known to her grandkids and great-grandkids as “Baba,” Pat was legendary for her chocolate cake, gooey caramel rolls, bottomless jigsaw puzzles, and a never-ending supply of thrift store treasures—usually glittery, always mysterious, and often missing a few pieces (just part of the charm). Baba’s six great-grandchildren were the absolute light of her life—whether she was leading virtual music classes via FaceTime during Covid or wrapping them up in the world's warmest hugs during in-person visits.

Pat kicked breast cancer’s and lung cancer’s ass for over two decades, but esophageal cancer finally called her number at age 85. She left this world peacefully on June 11, 2025, on her own terms, surrounded by her family, and with the grace of someone who knew she had lived a full, fierce life.

Pat is predeceased by her parents, an infant brother, and her sisters Louise and June Vossberg.

Pat is survived by her husband of 48 years, Mike Lobash; her brother John Hegblom (Teri) and her sister Maryrae Weyrauch; her five children: Patricia Alquist (Larry), Mike Brandt (Jackie Roehl), Amy Brandt, John Brandt, and Jimmy Brandt (Pam); and her stepsons Tony Lobash (Liz Johnson) and Chris Lobash (Alicia). Baba’s spirit lives on in her grandchildren: Greta Alquist, Erik Alquist (Khushbu), Joe Brandt (Kenna), Ingrid Kjeldgaard (Peter), Sarah Brandt (Henry LeGard), Ben Brandt, Maddie Brandt, Matthew Brandt, Abe Brandt, Henry Lobash, Brendan Lobash, Andrew Borg, and Michael Borg; and her great-grandchildren: Elizabeth, Everett, Aarav, Oskar, Sawyer, and Ishaan. Pat also leaves many nieces, nephews, cousins, students, and friends.

Pat touched countless lives as an educator, mentor, and matriarch—raising a small army of humans and leaving behind a legacy stitched into every Christmas at the lake, every bite of Baba cake, and every family story that starts with “Remember when Baba…”

A Celebration of Pat’s Life was held on August 23, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Elsie's Restaurant, 729 Marshall Street - Nordeast, Minneapolis.

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