GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
These memorials are written in memory of our lost Patriot Assistance Dog Veterans and Volunteers.
JILL D. ELLINGSON-HEGSTROM
Jill D. Ellingson-Hegstrom, 51 of Hawick, died on June 18, 2023 at the St. Cloud Hospital from injuries sustained in an automobile accident. A Celebration of Life will be from 12 to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 1, 2023 at her home, 21192 137th Street NE, Hawick, MN 56273. Interment will be Saturday, July 8 at 1 p.m. at Our Saviors Lutheran Church Cemetery in Grygla, MN. Lunch will follow the graveside service. In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to: Patriot Assistance Dogs 1478 Mallard St. Detroit Lakes, MN 56501.
Jill Diana Ellingson was born on June 24, 1971 in Thief River Falls, MN to Arlen and Sharon (Olstad) Ellingson. Jill attended school in Thief River Falls until 1988 and then moved to Rockford where she finished her schooling and graduated. She attended Anoka Ramsey Junior College and proceeded to join the US Army. Jill served as a MP and was stationed in Germany. She married and had a daughter, Kaitlynn Paige Littrell. After her discharge, Jill returned to Minneapolis and worked for several medical companies.
In 2017, Jill married Dale Hegstrom and moved to Spicer, where they owned Little Crow Gunworks. She was an active horse lover and enjoyed raising numerous animals on her hobby farm. That was her life dream.
Jill is survived by her husband, Dale; daughter, Kaitlynn (Tyler) Sale; grandchildren, Evangeline and Kyler Sale; stepchildren, Robert and Megan Hegstrom; mother, Sharon Ellingson; brothers, Jeffrey (Tina) Ellingson and Jared (Tammy) Ellingson; nephews, Charles, Kristofer, and Asher Ellingson; niece, Tabitha Michels; and many aunts, uncles, brothers and sisters-in-law, and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her father, Arlen Ellingson; grandparents, Leo and Irene Ellingson and Olaf and Cora Olstad; and most beloved service dog, Jack.
PAUL GOECKE
Paul Goecke
November 23, 1951- June 9, 2023
Paul Robert Goecke was born in Watertown, WI to Gordon and Phyllis Goecke on November 23, 1951. They lived in Milwaukee until 1965 when they moved to Fargo, ND. Paul graduated from Fargo South in 1970. On December 27, 1973 he married Stephenie Marine. They moved to Detroit Lakes, MN in 1979. Paul served in the US Army and later became an Army Reservist. He was deployed to the UAE during the Persian Gulf War. He retired from the reserves in 1994. Paul worked for the Detroit Lakes Police Department as a summer officer in 1978 then was hired full time in 1979. He served the city of DL for 28 years, retiring in 2007. In his retirement he worked for the Becker County Sheriff’s office as a summer boat and water officer for 10 years and has driven school bus for Schultz Bus since 2008. After retirement he became active in the Patriot Assistance Dog Program.
First and foremost, he was a family man. He loved his wife and children dearly and absolutely adored his granddaughter. Paul was known for his infectious smile and his calm demeanor. He treated everyone with respect. He enjoyed playing fantasy baseball and would always look for trains and train museums when he traveled.
Paul is survived by his wife, Stephenie, (Detroit Lakes) his son Geoffrey, (Detroit Lakes), his daughter Breanne (Erik) Blomquist (West Fargo) and granddaughter Irene. He is also survived by his brother, Bruce (Bonnie) Goecke (Fargo) and sister, Tania Goecke (Detroit Lakes) along with various nephews and a niece.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Patriot Assistance Dog Program. Click on link below to donate.
Make a donation to Patriot Assistance Dogs in memory of Paul Goecke
ROBERT “DON” SMITH
RAYMOND PIZARRO JR.
Jo Raymond “Ray” Pizarro Jr., age 49, passed away on January 10, 2022 at Sanford Health in Fargo, with his wife by his side. Ray was born July 12, 1972, to Jo Raymond Pizarro Sr. and Shannon Adele Pizarro (Rausch) in Redding, California. From an early age, Raymond would talk to anyone and everyone. It wouldn’t be a surprise to his family if he brought a stranger home for dinner. In fact, he did this on a rather regular basis. Ray grew up in Fargo, North Dakota and attended Fargo North High School. He enjoyed skateboarding and wrestling. He loved stealing quarters from his sister to play video games at the arcade. (He finally admitted this in his thirties, much to Chea’s delight.) He also enjoyed tech work/stage construction for Trollwood in the summer and excelled at BMX long-distance time trials.
As an adult, Ray answered the call to serve our country in the Minnesota Army National Guard. For over fifteen years he was an infantryman and was deployed to Iraq and Bosnia. When Ray returned home he was medically retired. Regardless, he kept answering call after call of his fellow Veterans. Anytime one of his brothers was struggling or a family needed help, Ray was there. Ray has continued helping fellow Veterans through multiple organizations. He served as a Peer Leader with Wounded Warrior Project and was Vice President on the Board of Directors at Patriot Assistance Dogs (PAD) in Detroit Lakes, MN. Ray was scheduled to do a presentation at the Crusader’s March event as well. His passion for PAD and motorcycles will be remembered. Raymond’s legacy will live on in all the people he has served with and supported along the way.
Ray is survived by his father, Jo; wife, Susan; children, Mia, Michael, Emily, Evan, Sophia, and Isabelle; grandchild, Delilah; sisters, Chea, Angela, and Rene; brother, Ethan; many family and friends, and service dog Beth E. Boo Lucky Dog. Ray was preceded in death by his grandparents and his mother, Shannon.
We would be remiss not to mention Ray’s love for America and freedom, Sandy’s Donuts and Bacon, his unyielding desire for a good steak and garlic mashed potatoes, his vast love of Star Wars, old country music and Santana, first-person shooter games, and his conviction that John Wick is the best love story ever.
KEVIN NEITZER
Kevin Neitzer, a proud father and veteran of the United States Army, passed away on Friday, April 1, 2022. It was often hard to tell if Kevin was more proud of being a father or a veteran. Kevin served in the US Army from 1993 to 1997 and in the Army Reserves 2001.
Kevin, the son of Robert “Bob” and Betty Neitzer, lived in Wabeno Wisconsin. His loved ones will remember how he loved to go fishing with his family, and how he loved to go hunting to get away and be engulfed by nature. While his kids were growing up they remembered how he was always working on projects and teaching them along the way. He loved to go on vacations with his family; especially on the beach “I got my toes in the water, ass in the sand. Not a worry in the world, a cold beer in my hand. Life is good today, life is good today.” Toes by Zac Brown Band. Kevin Neitzer is survived by his children Jared and Hailey “Azril” Neitzer, his mother Betty Neitzer, siblings Donna (Scott) Allen, Annette Neitzer, and Robert Jay (Cherie) Neitzer. Additional family include his nephews and niece Justin Baehring, Jacob Neitzer, Brandon Allen, Robert W. Neitzer, and Jaymie Neitzer. Step nephew and nieces Nathan Hilton, Ashley (Tony) Werner, Allison (Marcus) Lackovic, and Mikayla Hilton. He was preceded in death by his father, Robert J. Neitzer.
A special mention to his most cherished companion, Hank Neitzer. Hank was his best friend and service dog who helped him through difficult times. He stayed right by his side until the very end.
JEFFREY GAIR
Jeffery A Gair, 72, of Coon Rapids, MN died on January 1st, 2021.
He was born a “blue eyed observer” on February 6th, 1948 in Minneapolis, MN to Florence and Norbert Gair. He was raised with two brothers and five sisters in an Irish/German/Norwegian and very much Catholic family.
Jeff attended De LaSalle (Minneapolis, MN) and Saint John’s Preparatory Schools (Collegeville, MN) where he excelled in speed skating, hockey, and clowning around in class. He enlisted in the US Air Force (1966-1970) where he served as surgical technician and met his first wife Kathleen (Kiffy). Together, they had Matt and Ben who knew him to be a winter sports enthusiast and an engaged dad and hockey coach out on the ice. He was also an avid cross-country skier and marathon-triathlon competitor (which he often completed with his brother, travel mate, and partner-in-crime, Mike Gair).
After his time in the Air Force, he earned his BA in Psychology on the GI bill; and put that to use serving as a social worker for Hennepin County. This was the starting place for a lifetime of public service, mentorship, and advocacy for veterans and people suffering from mental illness and chemical dependency. His service was motivated by his personal battles with mental illness and alcohol use disorder. At age 30, he joined Alcoholics Anonymous and remained sober for 32 years with regular attendance at AA meetings (sometimes 6 or 7 times per week), close sponsorship, and a whole lotta self-reflection, care, and investment. He relapsed for 2.5 years, but never lost touch with his AA sponsor, Dan; and by golly if his AA community didn’t pick him up and guide him toward sobriety for the last 7 years of his life. He lived with his Big Book, the Serenity Prayer, the Lord’s Prayer, and the Hail Mary.
Those who know him share how he was generous, gentle, thoughtful, and caring. Good thing for those attributes because without them, it’s doubtful he’d have ended up marrying Judy, “[his] feisty wife, the love of [his] life.” (He chose liver and onions for their first date.) Together, they had Joey and Anne, who remember him most for his goofy off-the-cuff remarks, his fervent support (and boasting) of all of their endeavors and achievements, and his spoiling them (and all other kids who held a piece of his heart) with all things good.
He cherished Minnesota camping trips from the Great Plains to the Great Lakes to the Mighty Mississippi with his kids, brothers, and pets; and used any chance he got in nature for self-reflection and for connecting with family. He looked forward to getting together with his AA sponsor Mike on Monday and Thursday nights, where they ate pizza or mac ‘n cheese over a game (or three or five) of cribbage. (He practiced on his phone in his spare time, while listening to extra loud classical music.) He loved his time at the YMCA, especially the hot tubbing and sauna-ing; and he had a whole crew of friends there as well. (It was hard not to befriend him with his big ‘ol smile and friendly demeanor.) He donated over 1,000 hours of time to the Disabled American Veterans, and was always looking for ways to give to others. Generosity is an understatement when it comes to the time, energy, and love he shared with those he cared about.
He spent hours each day working toward self-improvement and self-love, whether that be meditating, prayer, time with his service dog (Louie), therapy, journaling, sending texts/emails/hand-written letters to brighten others’ days, making gratitude lists, and so on. He fought harder for his sanity than anyone we know has fought for anything–but when your wires are tired the way his were, even that doesn’t cut it. He went to the St. Cloud VA Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program, hopeful for relief from his OCD, “a 24/7 job [he] never wanted.” It was there that he died by suicide, and now rests easy. He’s “happy, joyous, and free” at last.
He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Judith Markus Gair; children, Matthew (Angela) Gair, Benjamin (Mary) Gair, Joseph Gair (Mary Andorfer), and Anne Gair; his grandchildren Ashtyn (Trenton), Benjamin, Cecilia, Charlie, and Joan; his sister-in-law, Ellen Gair; his siblings Michael (Sheila) Gair, Mary Gair, Teresa (Louis) Klingelhoets, Kathy Frederick, Ann (Rob) Gair, Geri (Ruben) Lopez; his service dog, Louie, his AA sponsors, and many nieces, nephews, and dear friends. He is preceded in death by his father, Norbert Gair; his mother, Florence Gair; and his brother, David Gair.
There will be a private memorial service and private interment arranged by Bradshaw Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to the Equal Justice Initiative, MIGIZI, the Amherst H Wilder Foundation, or another meaningful organization of your choice.
JOEY BUZAY AND FRANKIE
It is with hearts filled with sorrow that we announce the passing of Joey Buzay, the very first Veteran to be paired with a Patriot Assistance Dog, Frankie.
Joey and Frankie were both very charismatic individuals. Joey had a fire red mane and facial hair, a disarming grin, and political views that landed him in Facebook jail more often than not. Frankie had intense blue eyes, and a willingness to vocalize on command. He charmed everyone who met him. He also had a wanderlust that took him on too many walkabouts. Both of them were good at working through the predicaments they got themselves into and always managed to return to the good graces of those who were important in their lives.
Both of them came with a story. Joey was very open about his previous suicide attempt, when he “took enough pills to drop a Clydesdale.” He was not supposed to survive, but did. Frankie was found wandering back roads with his chain collar grown into his neck, metal fragments in his mouth, and shot pellets under his hide. Fate brought these two together, and Joey credited Frankie to saving his life many times over.
The two of them were responsible for many of our “firsts.”
- Frankie was our first dog to pick his own Veteran (back in 2012)
- They were the first team to be matched, and Frankie was the first service dog to go home with a Veteran under a foster contract.
- They were the first team to graduate and be certified as a service dog team by PAD.
- They were the first team to be featured in a nationally published book, “Unconditional Honor.”
- They were the first team to have both passed on, Frankie in May of 2020, and now Joey in December.
Joey and Frankie were the face of PAD for the duration of their lives together. The best known team in our program, they were great ambassadors for spreading acceptance of the ability of a service dog to help treat PTSD. Joey and Frankie appeared on PAD’s behalf at many events; helped with classes; mentored teams; referred Veterans; found, procured and fostered several dogs for the program; and witnessed PAD certify over 200 teams from 2012 to 2020. Their memory will always live on with PAD.
We, at Patriot Assistance Dogs, salute you, Joey. Thank you for both your service to our country and for your years of involvement with our program. You will be greatly missed. Our prayers and sympathies go out to Joey’s family and friends.
“Their working chapter is closed, their legacy will live on.”
JIM ELMQUIST
Jim Elmquist, age 72, of Rush City, passed away unexpectedly of a massive heart attack on Friday, October 2, 2020 working outside at his lake house doing what he liked most with a friend and in the presence of his faithful service dog, Leif.
James Howard Elmquist was born June 9, 1948, the only son of Howard and Myrtle (Sorlie) Elmquist in Saint Paul, Minnesota.
Jim spent his life attending school in Minnesota graduating with an MBA from the University of Minnesota followed by a career in business as an accountant and CFO at Graffco in Forest Lake. He was also a gifted home builder and built elegant furniture that was installed in some of the most important businesses in Minneapolis and St. Paul. Among business people, he was respected for his ability to lead people and to accomplish planned goals in a manner that proved satisfactory for all.
Jim was involved in service for Veterans; with his favorite charity being Patriot Assistance Dogs (PAD). He and Rosalind raised several service puppies that became service dogs of veterans with PAD. Jim helped other veterans with PAD train their service dogs. He was also a member of the American Legion. As always, he was there to help.
Jim was a loyal friend to many and will be remembered as a very talented, kind, gentle man with a profound faith in God. He appreciated the extraordinary blessings of his many friends and business associates. We all want to think we are better people for having been touched by him.
Jim is survived by his loving wife Rosalind Elmquist of Rush City; son Steve Elmquist of Coon Rapids; daughter Ingrid Hofmann of Falcon Heights; grandson Kody.
He was preceded in death by his parents Howard and Myrtle Elmquist.
Rev. Rob Krajewski officiated at graveside services in the Salem Lutheran Cemetery southwest of North Branch. The Patriot Guard was in attendance and Dr. Ralph Magnuson provided a bagpipe tribute. Close friends and Rush Lake neighbors; Jerry Oliver, John Hirsch and Kurt Erickson shared memories.
Memorials may be directed to: Patriot Assistance Dogs, 1478 Mallard Street, Detroit Lakes, MN 56501.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to: Funeral and Cremation Service of Rush City, Olson Chapel.