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DUNBAR, Wis. -- Harold Lynn Patz, 73, of Dunbar, Wis., went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Sunday, July 12, 2026.
He is survived by his high school sweetheart and wife of 52 years, Joan; his seven children, Daniel Patz (Molly), Janelle Johnson (Jason), Katie Bruno (Chris), April Mohler (Scott), Matthew Patz (Kelsey), Marco Patz (Kimberly), and Antonio Patz (Mallory); and his siblings, Arlene Sailer, LaVerne Grosse (Harold), Howard Patz, Eleanore Gusick, and Darrell Patz (Jeannie); and many nieces and nephews. Harold was a devoted Pappy to Grace, Paul (Emma), Elijah (Chaya), Barnabas, Mary, Katy, Paul, Preston, Kianna, Amos, Malachi, Mamie, Luke, Simon, Elliot, Noah, Lucy, Charlotte, George, Clementine, Matthew, Micah, Kaiya, Gianna, Marco David, and soon-to-be baby girl; and great-grandchildren Eleanor and Hazel.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Mamie Patz; his brother, Clifford Patz; brothers-in-law Harold Sailer and Roger Gusick; and sisters-in-law Valerie Patz and Nancy Patz.
Harold was born March 17, 1953, in Marinette, Wis.. He graduated from Coleman High School in 1971 and from the Grand Rapids School of Bible and Music in 1974. As a growing boy and young man, Harold enjoyed snowmobiling, began his lifelong pursuit to document life with a video camera, and found joy in music and singing.
Although he worked at the family business as a teenager, his father, Paul, envisioned Harold living and working at the family's new ministry up north -- Northland camp and college. This calling would shape the rest of Harold's life.
From their youth, Harold's leading lady was Joan (Salesky) Patz -- his Doris Day. She was "the cats." Once he convinced her they belonged together, Harold married the love of his life on June 8, 1974, at First Baptist Church in Pound, Wis. They were Pioneers with many others in those early days at Northland as they watched the camp and college grow. In 1987 they built their family home in Dunbar, where they raised their seven children.
Harold served in many roles at Northland -- administration, business office, haywagon driver, even teaching -- and after his retirement, he was a volunteer lawn mower on the campus. He was also a founding board member at Northland Baptist Bible College (later, Northland International University) and served in that capacity until the school closed in 2015. He is most remembered for his position working with students with financial needs, many of whom remember him for the prayerful love and care he provided in this role.
He was also a founding member of Faith Baptist Church in Beecher, where he served as a deacon for many years and a Sunday school teacher for over 35 years. Harold taught fourth to sixth grade boys and Joan taught the girls. A whole generation of boys remembers the songs he taught them in that class. In his later years, he and Joan were members of Mercy Church, where he loved and encouraged the pastors for their faithful gospel ministry in the area.
Throughout his life, Harold loved raising goats and bunnies, growing beautiful flowers, "The Andy Griffith Show," the Packers, snowmobiling, gardening, talking to strangers, embarrassing his children, telling dad jokes, rough-housing his grandchildren, telling Joey stories to children, and encouraging missionaries. He will also be remembered for pranking people with his toupee, his love of pie and ice cream (please warm it up), and leaving his children with thousands of hours of home movies.
Above all, he loved his family and his Lord. He was utterly devoted to his wife, Joan, and delighted in anything they did together. He loved his Lord Jesus Christ, and through all of the seasons of his life you could always find him early in the morning reading his Bible and praying with Joan and any kids or grandkids who were visiting.
Harold left a legacy of humility, encouragement, sacrifice, humor, and love for the Good News of Jesus Christ for the glory of God.
"For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." Philippians 1:21
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 25, at Redemption Hill Church in Kingsford. Visitation will be at 9:30 a.m., with a service at 11 a.m. A livestream of the service will be provided.
If you would like to make a donation in honor of Harold, please consider one of these options: Harold and Joan's home church, Mercy Church; or the search and recovery organizations No One Left Behind K9 Search and Rescue, Dickinson County Sheriff's Dive Team, Middle Inlet Dive Team and Newbold Fire Department.
Online condolences may be shared at www.roubalfuneralhome.com.
Roubal Funeral Home in Wausaukee is assisting Harold's family with arrangements.