Patrick John Freeman

PATRICK JOHN FREEMAN, age 69 of New Prague, died at his home on the evening of Sunday, January 11, 2026 after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.

Patrick was born in Faribault on July 7, 1956 to parents Francis “Bud” and Fern (Stoltz) Freeman. He was the fifth of seven children. Patrick’s father was an airplane mechanic in World War II, and the automotive skills he learned from his father lead him to a life long interest in classic car restoration. He was also an avid runner.

When Patrick was in grade school, he asked his father, “Other kids are Czech or Bohemian but no one ever says what the Freemans are. What are we?’ His father replied, “Freemans are English Jews but don’t ever tell anyone.” His life and that of the entire family was forever changed when he was 16. His younger sister, Mary, was killed in a car accident. The family was devastated by no one more so than his mother who was battling breast cancer. She lost the will to fight and passed when Patrick was 17.

Patrick graduated from Montgomery Lonsdale High School with the class of 1974. He had several jobs over the years including Winco, Wilson Center, and Heat & Glo, before working for MVE in New Prague which later became CHART. He was a welder by trade and was employed by CHART for 39 years.

Patrick married Donna Prochaska who had two daughters, Lynnette and Michelle. Soon after, they were joined by Heather in 1981.

Patrick came to know Jesus as his Lord and Savior one afternoon in the late 1980’s. He was hostile to anyone who “talked religion” or tried to tell him about the Bible. Eventually, the burdens of his past failures and regrets weighed heavily on his heart. In his garage he randomly tuned in 98.5 KTIS radio. He heard that Jesus had died for his sins and offered forgiveness and new life if he gave his life to Jesus. He dropped to his knees in his garage and cried out to Jesus to forgive and save him.

After attending several churches he eventually came to the Seed of Abraham Messianic Fellowhip. There he was “home”. He fully embraced his Jewish heritage. Patrick served on the Davidic Dance Team. He loved teaching scripture and encouraging others to pursue the Hebrew roots of our Christian faith. He significantly influenced many toward a deeper relationship with Yeshua, Jesus, the Messiah and scripture.

Patrick will be remembered as a frugal master craftsman with a strong faith, a winning smile, piercing blue eyes, and long, long beard who loved Torah, people, and cars.

Patrick was preceded in death by his mother, father, and three sisters. He is survived by his brother, Robert Freeman; sisters, Becky (Lenny) Miller and Ginny David; his daughter Heather (John) Ehrhardt; stepdaughters Lynnette (Mark) Tupy and Michelle (Fred, Jr.) Marek; a grandson, Logan Ehrhardt; a brother-in-law, Robert “Bobby” Kuchinka; and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.

Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. on Thursday, January 15, 2026 at the Montgomery Chapel of Schoenbauer Funeral Home, and will continue for one hour before the service at the church on Friday.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 16, 2026 at Friendship Church in Prior Lake, with Rev. Kenny White and Rabbi Frank Davis officiating. Following a brief reception interment will take place at Heidelberg Cemetery.