Mary (Pat) Mullen

MARY PATRICIA (PAT) THOMSEN MULLEN Cedar Rapids Mary Patricia (Pat) Bresnan Thomsen Mullen, 95, died Saturday, Aug. 5, 2017, in her Cedar Rapids home, where she had lived with her husband and seven children for 56 years. Pat was born on St. Patrick's Day, March 17, 1922, in Omaha, Neb., to John (Jack) Edward Bresnan Jr. and Margaret Glendola (Glen) Bevins Bresnan. Her parents, Jack and Margaret, both died at an early age leaving Pat and her brother, Richard J. Bresnan Woods, orphaned. At the age of 11, Pat was adopted by her mother's cousin, Sarah Bevins Thomsen and her husband, George. The adoption brought two new brothers into Pat's life, George Thomsen (Madonna) and Bob Thomsen. Pat led an extraordinary life of love, kindness and compassion. Her early years with her parents, Jack and Glen, may have been cut short but their love left a lasting impact. Pat's desire to take care of others started at St. Mary's Orphanage in Dubuque, where she kept a close eye on her brother, Richard, and many of the other children. A favorite story from those days was the night of the "big escape." Pat and some of the other girls tried to run away from the orphanage only to return as they forgot to bring warm clothes and food. The plan was to gather supplies and leave again the next night, only to be foiled and caught by the watchful eye of the nuns! Pat would joke she was the original Annie! After her adoption, Pat grew up in Omaha, where she went to school and graduated from Cathedral High in 1940. It was in Omaha where she met her beloved husband, Joe Patrick (Pat) Mullen, at the Glen L. Martin Bomber Plant. Pat and Joe both joined the Navy and served in World War II. Pat (Yeoman Third Class) was stationed in Washington, D.C., and Joe (AMM 2 USNR) flew with the Blue Raiders out of Camp Kearney. During one of Joe's leaves, the two were married on July 16, 1945 at St. Cecilia's Cathedral in Omaha. After the "war years," Pat and Joe settled down in Ames, where Joe began his education as a mechanical engineer at Iowa State University and Pat began their family. Pat and Joe had seven children, Michael P. Mullen (Shirley), Catherine A. Mullen Coyne, Gerald P. Mullen, James J. Mullen, Joan M. Mullen Spilman (Jeff), Stephen P. Mullen (Connie) and Mary E. Mullen Tietjens (Tim). This union produced a large loving family that led to numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren! Pat was a faithful Christian, attending St. Matthew Catholic Church nearly her entire life. She passed on her love for the Lord not only to her family but to dozens of children as a Sunday school teacher. She would bring the Scripture to life for the children through plays, stories and crafts. Pat also shared her compassion for children as a Camp Fire Girl leader. Teaching and nurturing children was her life's work. For those who knew Pat, they can speak to her unending kindness. A Mass of Christian Burial to honor Pat's extraordinary life will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 10, at St. Matthew Catholic Church, Cedar Rapids, by the Rev. Steve Garner. Visitation: 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 9, with a rosary beginning at 4:30 p.m. at Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Cedar Rapids. Burial and military honors: Mount Calvary Cemetery, Cedar Rapids. Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Mercy. Please share your support and memories with Pat's family on her tribute wall at www.stewartbaxter.com under obituaries.