Patrick Lee Heitzman

Patrick Lee Heitzman passed away August 31, 2026.

A Celebration of Pat’s Life will take place on Friday, September 25 at Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home, 833 Marschall Road, Shakopee with a gathering time for family and friends from 12:00pm – 2:45pm, followed by a Service at 3:00pm. Pat Sheveland will officiate. The Service will be live streamed.

Pat will be forever missed by his four children, Bri Thatcher (Andy Modrovich), Travis Thatcher (and their mother, Sean), Chelsie Heitzman, and Lindsie Heitzman; his beloved grandchildren, Elijah, Jayden and Maya Thatcher and Spencer Modrovich; his grand-pets, Winnie, Ringo and Millie; his siblings, Nancy Bennington, John (Vic) Heitzman, Jeanne Heitzman Keller, Ed (Kris) Hetizman, Elice (Mark) Taylor; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.

Pat was reunited with his wife, Toni; his parents, his in-laws, and many other family and friends who all lined up for a hug.

Patrick Lee Heitzman was born October 6, 1958, in Shakopee, MN to Marvin and Joyce Heitzman. Pat was raised in Shakopee alongside his siblings, Nancy, John, Jeanne, Ed, and Elice where they attended the Catholic School until Pat was “politely asked to consider the public school.” Pat took that advice and moved to the Shakopee Public School system where he flourished into the very outgoing, social butterfly of a person we all know him as. Even though his social calendar was full of adventures with his cousins and friends instead of attending class, he graduated from Shakopee High School in 1976.

Following graduation, he worked for Kmart while studying and working towards his Pest Control / Extermination License which once he obtained - he became known as “The Bug Guy.”

Pat worked for a few companies over the years before he started A.M. Bug Control. When asked what his favorite part of the job was, he would jokingly say “I get to kill stuff” or “I get to hunt critters all day” but really it was helping others and the lasting relationships he made with his customers. Many of whom had moved with him through each company because he was reasonable and reliable - he was not just the bug guy stopping out quarterly, he truly cared.

An early marriage to Sean, brought his eldest children, Bri and Travis, into the world, and though the kids moved to Texas when they were young, the bond endured as they grew into adults.

The defining love story of Pat’s midlife began in a Shakopee diner, where he met Toni—a waitress who offered him a free glass of milk and as they say – the rest was history. The two were married on New Year’s Eve in 1993 surrounded by friends. Together, Pat and Toni built a life full of get-togethers with family and friends. Whether playing in the Elsie Family Golf tournament, hosting backyard bonfires, or gathering around a table for card games, they were happiest when surrounded by people. The births Chelsie and Lindsie rounded out their family. Toni and Pat were so fun, welcoming, and easygoing that they naturally became "second parents" to a whole neighborhood of the girls’ friends.

Family life was packed with everyday togetherness. Pat was a devoted son, regularly stopping by his mother’s house to mow the lawn, shovel snow, or run snowblower duty, turning chores into reasons to visit. House rivalries kept life lively—Pat and Lindsie rooted fiercely for the Minnesota Vikings, while Toni and Chelsie cheered for the Green Bay Packers, making gamedays a house divided in the best possible way.

After Toni’s passing, Pat was blessed to find love again with Shannon. Over the last decade, Shannon became his absolute world. Pat loved spending time with his family taking in Wild hockey games, Minnesota Twins games with his mom and daughters, and

Eventually, Pat gained a new title that meant the world to him: grandfather – with the births of Travis’s children, Elijah, Jayden and Maya and then Bri’s son Spencer who became his absolute pride and joy. Distance couldn't dim his devotion; Pat bragged about them to anyone who would listen, made trips out of state to watch Spencer perform, and cherished every single moment they shared together. Pat was able to cross off a bucket-list item by seeing Paul McCartney live in concert, and what made it extra special was sharing that experience with Spencer, along with Bri, Shannon, and Andy. When Pat wasn’t doing what he enjoyed at work, he kept busy socializing doing things he enjoyed while in the presence of the people he loved. This included happy hours at Turtles with his siblings, and cousins - especially, his life-long closest ally, Mike “Hootie” Huth. Pat was a fan and supporter of all Minnesota sports, especially as a hardcore Viking fan, he loved attending Twins, Vikings, and Wild games and he would rarely be seen without purple and gold. Pat enjoyed golfing on a weekly league, in the yearly Elsie Invitational Golf Tournament, and eventually taking a part-time gig as a ranger at Ridges at Sand Creek in Jordan. He was a member of the Shakopee Eagles Club, and served on the Shakopee City Council for years, which is where his social dominance hit its stride. He was so proud to be able to service the community where he was born and raised in and loved so dearly, and there is no one more qualified.

Everyone has their own Pat one-liners, stories, and legends. As Pat faced his health declining over the years, he always said he was “Strong like a bull” and he meant it. He took up yoga after his heart attack and did everything he needed to continually bounce back over and over. He fought like hell until the end. Throughout his life, these remained consistent: He could always strike up a conversation with anyone, he cared deeply about everyone, would help in any way he could, and throughout all of life’s ups and downs, he kept his sense of humor.

Pat was one hell of a man, filled with endless stories, unforgettable catchphrases, and a heart big enough for the entire town.