Patricia "Patti" A. Corey

Patricia, “Patti” , Ann Corey was born October 31, 1937 to Lucille and Mike Vlatkovich in Hibbing, Minnesota. 

On March 25, 2025 she left this earth with matching nail color and perfect lipstick on, pain-free and in peace at The Pillars Of Grand Rapids, where she spent the last 2 1/2 years of her precious life. 

As a devout Catholic, Patti graduated from Hibbing High School in 1955 and went on to get her bachelors degree from St. Scholastica in Duluth, Minnesota, becoming a registered nurse by the age of 20. Continuing her education she received her master’s degree and became a licensed Nurse Practitioner by the age of 50. Patti worked at hospitals and clinics throughout the Iron Range with the sole purpose of helping women and others in their time of need. She lived such a full and compassionate life, inspiring many through her dedication as a nurse, community volunteer, and loving family member.

For years, Patti belonged to the American Association of University Women (AAUW), Little Flower Circle of BSC, Lake Superior Hiking Club, which help maintain trails, Side Lake Investment Club, and was the Clerk of French Township Side Lake. All the years spent in the Side Lake Community were very special to her.

She had an eager approach to learning and at the age of 60 went to the Virginia Community College to learn woodworking skills and volunteered for Habitat for Humanity. It’s remarkable how she embraced learning and found ways to contribute to others' lives which adds even more depth to the legacy she leaves behind. 

Patti also enjoyed spending time with her family, organizing, and re-organizing when visiting her children, organizing anything she could get her hands on and putting her twist on things, hosting events, international travel with girlfriends and Catholic groups, hiking, walking, canoeing, cross-country skiing and just being in nature. 

Her story truly embodies a life of service, faith, and family. Patti was a loving mother, sister, aunt, grandma, and friend. May her memory bring comfort and inspiration to all those who were blessed and fortunate enough to know her. She will be truly missed by all. 

She is survived by her children, Peter (Josette) Hukka, Pamela Hukka, and Timothy (Carolina) Corey; grandchildren, Jake Hukka, Sage Hukka, Taylor-Ann Smith, Skylar Smith, Edward Smith, William Smith, Alexander Corey, and Christian Corey; great-grandchild, Jacob Smith; siblings, Lucy Luce, Michael Vlatkovich, John (Gloria) Vlatkovich, Jill (Charley) Mann; many nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

Patti is preceeded in death by her parents, sister, Joan Vlatkovich-Platisha, sister-in-law, Shirley Vlatkovich, her nephews Todd and Chris Vlatkovich , great nephew Niko Vlatkovich, her great niece, Madeline Vlatkovich. 

A memorial mass of a Catholic burial will be held Saturday,June 28, 2025 at 11 AM at the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Hibbing, Minnesota. Rev. Bill Skarich will officiate the mass. Visitation will be held from 10 to 11 AM at the church, and the burial will take place at Maple Hill Cemetery in Hibbing Minnesota.

A special thank you to the amazing St. Croix Hospice Team and her Pillars of Grand Rapids Memory Care Team for the last 2 1/2 years of her life. We all have a special angel watching over us now. 

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the WAM Woman’s Alzheimer’s Movement. https://donate.thewomensalzheimersmovement.org/campaign/654374/donate