Obituary of Patricia Bellino

Patricia (Patti) J. Bellino, age 73, formerly of Bemidji and White Bear Lake, MN, peacefully passed away on June 4, 2024, surrounded by family members and hospice nurses. Patti was born in Bemidji, MN on December 21, 1950, to Eugene and Muriel Bellino. She was the oldest of 10 children and was raised in a strong Catholic family. Patti never married but had a great guy for 30+ years that was her significant other, Leon Horien. They met in 1986 through her good friends, the Pendergasts. Patti attended the public schools in Bemidji, MN and graduated from Bemidji High School in 1969. She then went on to graduate in August, 1972 from Bemidji State College (BSC), earning her Bachelor of Science degree, with a major in Chemistry and a minor in Math. After Patti graduated from BSC, she was hired by Upjohn as a pharmaceutical saleswoman and resided in Ft. Dodge, IA. Patti then attended the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy and graduated in June, 1977 with a pharmacy degree. After getting her degree, Patti worked at pharmacies that included Lake Elmo, So. St. Paul K-Mart, and Dahl Pharmacy. In 1988, she was hired by the Minnesota State Board of Pharmacy to be a state inspector/surveyor of pharmacies, working for them for 10 years. Patti enjoyed doing many things. To quote a friend, “Patti had a ton of athletic ability and the courage to tackle almost anything.” Her activities and hobbies included horseback riding, downhill skiing, scuba diving and snorkeling, mushroom hunting, rock hounding, gardening, enjoying tropical fish, bicycle riding, motorcycle riding, and beach combing. Patti loved and was good at painting, sewing, and photography. Over the years, she enjoyed collecting items that included books, shells, clothes, antiques, stamps, and anything nature related. When in high school, she learned to play the violin. She also taught herself to play the guitar, playing popular songs from the 60’s and 70’s. Music seemed to rejuvenate Patti and frequently she would play the top 60’s songs on her “radio.” She kept busy in the fall helping Leon with his Christmas tree and wreath sales. Patti loved playing ping pong, a sport she picked up while at BSC, and won often. The love of traveling was in Patti’s blood and she always stated a desire to travel around the world. Trips she did take included all parts of the USA, Mexico, Belize, Costa Rica, China and Africa with abilities in speaking Chinese and Spanish. Patti and Leon spent many winters on South Padre Island, Texas, relaxing, fishing and collecting anything that washed ashore. Patti didn’t have children of her own, but absolutely was excited and entertained by her young nieces and nephews, and later on by her many great nieces and nephews. They enjoyed eating ice cream together. Patti is survived by her siblings: Nancy (Randy) Moritz of Emily, MN; Susan Bellino-Keacher of Elk River, MN; Virginia Bellino of Bemidji, MN; Rebecca (Dean) Anderson of Savage, MN; and Daniel Bellino of Bemidji, MN; Annette Bellino of Bemidji, MN; and Gregory Bellino of Bemidji, MN, besides many nieces and nephews and their children. Patti was preceded in death by her significant other, Leon Horien (2019); her parents, Eugene and Muriel Bellino; her sister, Joann Bellino; her brother, Philip Bellino; maternal grandparents, Donna and Floyd Moffet; her paternal grandparents, Frank and Leona Bellino; and many other relatives. A Memorial Service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, 06-18-24 at Anderson Funeral Home at 1401 Arcade St., St. Paul, with visitation 30 minutes prior to the service. Refreshments will follow the service. A second service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, 06-21-24 at Bemidji United Methodist Church at 924 Beltrami Ave. NW., Bemidji, with visitation 30 minutes prior to the service. A light luncheon will follow the service.