Patricia “Pat” (Danzl) McDowall, 80, of Big Lake, MN, passed away peacefully on March 7, 2025 at Manatee Memorial Hospital in Bradenton, FL. 

Pat was born on August 23, 1944, in a maternity house in Elk River, MN, to Aloys and Evelyn (Marah) Danzl. She graduated from Big Lake High School in 1962 and moved to Downtown Minneapolis to live and work with friends. She then married the love of her life, Robert “Bob” McDowall on August 17, 1963 at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church. Together they had three children and three grandchildren. Pat and Bob continued to be active members of Our Lady of the Lake/Mary of the Visitation Catholic Church. 

After marriage, Pat and Bob settled in Big Lake, and in 1966 purchased the A&W in Big Lake, where she worked as a carhop when it first opened under the previous owners. Pat and Bob worked very hard for nine years building a very successful business, giving many neighbors of Big Lake, Monticello, and Becker their first jobs. She worked for the Big Lake School District for 25 years, starting out as an Assistant Cook and worked her way up to Food Service Manager. Pat will always be remembered for her delicious homemade lunches. She often donated her time cooking for fundraisers and school events, plus lunches at Our Lady of the Lake CCD classes. Retiring in 1998, Pat and Bob started their next adventure of buying McPete’s Bowling Center in Big Lake with Eric Petersen, she was Eric’s lifeline for all spreadsheets, flyers, and menus. 

Pat was blessed with endless talents, bringing creativity and skill to everything she touched. She was an exceptional cook, and always had her hands busy with sewing or crocheting. Pat had an eye for decorating, she had a natural gift for turning any space into something warm and inviting. 

Pat and Bob enjoyed 25 years wintering in Florida and she was at peace knowing her final days were in the state she loved so much. 

She is survived by her loving husband of over 61 years, Bob McDowall; children, Denise (Patrick) McDowall Seyko and Craig McDowall of Big Lake; and three grandchildren Thomas Wilkinson of St. Louis Park, Chad McDowall of Monticello, and Natalie (Michael Ruble-Dessalet) Seyko of St. Louis Park. Other survivors include her sisters MaryAnn Danzl-Haskell of Big Lake and Kathleen DaVault of Grants Pass, Oregon, and sister-in-law Mary Lou (McDowall) Kerber of St. Cloud; and many nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews. 

She is preceded in death by her newborn daughter Lisa Marie McDowall; her parents; brothers Freddrick and Ronald Danzl; brothers-in-law John Haskell Jr. and Maury DaVault; and nephew Brian DaVault.