My prayers for Dr Fremgen's Family and Friends / Julie Hartinger (patient)Read >>
My prayers for Dr Fremgen's Family and Friends / Julie Hartinger (patient)
In February 2002 I was at Burlington emergency room on a Sunday evening because I was losing my sight in my right eye. The emergency room doctor contacted Dr. Fremgen and I was sent to his office to be examined. I was very surprised that a doctor would come out to his office on a Sunday evening. Dr. Fremgen examined me and told me that I had optic neuritis and that I probably had MS. He was so nice during this time of fear. When I saw him a week later for a follow up and he found out that my MRI was schedule a month away, he called the hospital and got me in the next day to confirm that it was MS. He was so kind and made me feel that everything was going to be ok. I was his patient ever since that Sunday evening in 2002 and looked forward to my appointments. We both loved to talk about our kids and he enjoyed listening to my stories about the Dave Matthews Band concerts I had been too. I never had a doctor that took the time to actually talk with me and explain everything to me. He was always so happy and easy to talk with. He was a very special doctor. My prayers go out to his family and friends. He will be greatly missed. Close
Thinking of Pat / Scott Beatse (Colleague/Friend)Read >>
Thinking of Pat / Scott Beatse (Colleague/Friend)
I just wanted to express my appreciation for having known Pat. As a fellow surgeon who operated on the same day as myself for a number of years, he & I shared many conversations, thoughts, and laughs. I will always treasure having known him. He was an excellent surgeon and physician. He also was my daughters and my eye physician and took excellent care of us. He will be sorely missed by the hospital, his colleagues, and his patients.
A doctor who was gentle & caring / Val Obenauf (patient)Read >>
A doctor who was gentle & caring / Val Obenauf (patient)
As a long time patient of Dr. Fremgen, I was heart-broken to hear of his passing. He cared so much for his patients, it is easy to understand how he could easily be a loving, devoted husband and father. He will be dearly missed by myself and everyone who knew him. Close
I will never forget how he helped save my life / Darlene Cypert (Patient)
Dr. Fremgen was the physician who suspected that I had a brain aneurysm and "forced" me to go to St. Lukes in April 1999. Without him I am not sure I would be here today. I am saddened to hear of his passing, and I will never forget his dedication to patients such as myself. My thoughts are with his wife and children. I hope that they know that he was a wonderful, dedicated physician. Close
Praying for You / Kevin OBrien (Brother in Christ )Read >>
Praying for You / Kevin OBrien (Brother in Christ )
Hello Jayne,
I wanted you to know that our family is praying for you and your boys daily. We asked God to feel your heart with peace during this difficult time, and provide the wisdom needed to build a strong future for family. Please let us know if there is anything we can do to help.
Brian and Nathan,
Your father was a man who desired to do great good. He was part of a group of men that are going to make a difference in this world...to build a better future for both of you.
As a father of young boys, I know he loved you both very much, and that he would want you to grow up as strong, faith filled, virtuous young men that would follow in his footsteps of helping others. I am sure he would also want you to know that during your journey in life to always count on Jesus Christ to help you, and to call on Him often. Also, know that you both will always be in my daily prayers.
Tribute/ Eileen Joike (Famly's eye physician )
When we first met Dr. Fremgen back when he first came to Burlington, he was a quiet and reserved kind of guy. That changed quickly as he came to know his patients. He was a warm and kind man with a great sense of humor. He was a skillful surgeon for our daughter and he will be greated missed by our family, both as a doctor and fellow beliver. We will keep his loved ones in our prayers. Close
Been thinking of Jayne and the kids / Eric Riesselmann (Conference Attendee )Read >>
Been thinking of Jayne and the kids / Eric Riesselmann (Conference Attendee )
Hello,
I've followed all the correspondence, and here a couple weeks after everything transpired, I wanted to let you know even after the activity may subside somewhat, people will not soon forget you.
I am not in the Burlington area, nor have I ever met your family (perhaps I saw Pat that day), but that hasn't stopped me and my family from praying for you, learning how we never know what tomorrow holds, seeing how prescious life is while we have it. Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Fr. John Corapi says, when people ask why bad things happen, that it's for a greater good. That short answer has gotten us through so many "Why me?" moments, that eventually, we will see the handiwork of God in every situation; never letting an experience be wasted.
We hope you, too, have the faith and patience to take each day as it comes, while remembering the man who you will, with the Lord's grace, one day see again.
I did not know Pat, but having lost a brother at a young age gives me small sense of the depth of your loss. While there is little I can say or do to console those that were closest to Dr. Pat, I never-the-less can point out that there were an infinite number of graces that Dr. Pat may have participated in that day.
We will never fully understand God's providence, however we must trust that we are being well cared for and that this is an invitation to come closer to him.
I for my part can only offer you my prayers and the knowledge that I will keep his memory alive in the Men of Christ.
WIth Hope in The Resurrection / James Michaletz (A Brother in Christ )Read >>
WIth Hope in The Resurrection / James Michaletz (A Brother in Christ )
Dear Mrs. Fremgen, Brian, Nathan and all Fremgen family members,
I met Patrick as did thousands of other men on 10 January. For 10 wonderful hours we were united as Men of Christ, laughing with one another, crying at times and ultimately, thanking God for a gentle reminder of what matters most—family.
As I packed up my camera equipment after the conference a call echoed through the convention hall that a brother needed a hand—he'd fallen and broken a leg. We attended to Pat, and I slipped my coat underneath him to keep him off the ice. I sat behind Pat, held him up as a doctor attended to his leg. I can hear Pat saying "thank you" as we tried to keep him comfortable until we were able to carry him inside.
And then I—like all who heard the news—turned to prayer when our Brother in Christ was in need most. Through heartfelt tears I prayed a Rosary that night for the miracle of healing. My children offered the Memorare in his honor. As a father of five, with five and seven year-old girls among the children, the connection was remarkably personal. I think all fathers will always be connected in this way even though a single word may never be spoken. Because we owe everything to our God-given partners, and would do anything for our families.
While I didn't know Pat, I did know who he was simply by his willingness to be among the group at the Men of Christ conference that day. His sons can take great comfort in knowing their Dad spent a day not for himself, but for the love of his family that endures forever.
I held Pat up for a short time not long ago. Pat will hold me up for the rest of my life.
Jim & Helen, Carl Joseph, Margaret Ann, Katherine Marie, Madeline Faustina, Xavier Benedict. The Michaletz Family, Cedarburg.
May God Bless You / Patrick Griffin (Men of Christ Leadership Team )Read >>
May God Bless You / Patrick Griffin (Men of Christ Leadership Team )
Dear Jayne and Boys,
I did not have the honor of knowing your husband and father, but I saw the impact he had on people's lives when I went to his wake. Please know that he is with our Lord and Savior, now and always. Know that your husband's commitment to our Lord, not only at the Men of Christ conference, but every day of his life, and the love for God Pat had will always remain with me. My family and I will keep you and your family in our prayers. God Bless, Patrick Griffin
A Powerful Day / Dr. Michael Nice (Brother in Christ )Read >>
A Powerful Day / Dr. Michael Nice (Brother in Christ )
Dear Jayne, Brian & Nathan,
I did not have the honor of personally knowing Pat but I did have the honor of spending the day with him at the Men of Christ Conference. I respectfully ask that I may share my experience that day with you and humbly suggest that Pat's experience closely resembled mine.
As a Catholic man searching to embrace God, it has been my experience that other Catholic men, like myself, feel alone in that quest. Upon arriving at the Men of Christ Confrence that feeling quickly dissapated when I walked into a room filled with 2500 Catholic men. The atmosphere in that room was powerful. I have never experienced anything like it before in my life. The Holy Spirit was so ever much present!
The day was filled with great speakers. Their common theme was that we, as Catholic men, must hold our heads high and walk through this life knowing that God loves us so very much. We sang our hearts out all day and we poured our hearts out in confesion. We connected with each other and with Jesus, our Savior. It was very humbling to pray the rosary and to kneel together with all those men in the presence of our Lord during the Eucharistic Procession. Our day ended with a beautiful and holy mass with His Excellency, Bishop David Ricken.
That day strengthed me both spiritually and physically. I know in my heart it did the same for Pat.
May the spirit of that day and the prayers of our Brothers in Christ console your hearts and guide you through life with our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Our hearts are broken for you Jayne, Brian & Nathan. You are in all of our prayers each and everyday. Pat will always be remembered as a loving father, devoted husband, and respected member of our community.
I didn't know Pat but I was with him on the bus to the Men of Christ conference. I remember looking out the window of the bus seeing him laying on the ground with many people around him, helping. I said a silent prayer that he'd be alright and didn't think much more about it. I assume many others thought that too. When I found out about the complications, I was stunned. I am a 40 yr. old man with three young kids and my heart and prayers go out to the family. If there is anything I can do please don't hesitate to call.
The Men of Christ conference was a very powerful, spiritual and enlightening meeting. For all of us there; it was a preparation for eternal life. No one knows when that time will come but we all must be prepared and in doing so, live like Christ. Just as Jesus made the blind see, Dr. Pat has helped many see better. Pat was at a conference to better himself spiritually and become closer to God, making him a better husband and father too. God had other plans for Pat, plans we don't understand or comprehend but we all will be there some day and when that day comes let's be welcomed by the Angles and Saints, others who have gone before us and Jesus and our Holy Father.
It's hard to find the words... / Mike Raboine (Brother in Christ )
Dear Jayne and Boys,
I am finding it hard to express in words my deep sympathy for the loss of your husband and father. I never got to know him but his memory and the events over the last several days will be with me forever.
As I went to him after he had fallen and was the first to reach him I couldn't help but realize how calm and concerned he was for you. He immediately wanted me to call you Jayne and calmly gave me your numbers. He remained calm the entire time even as we moved him back inside the center and continued to make sure we had left you a message. In all his suffering he was focused on you.
This is what will forever be with me, his commitment to Jesus, his commitment you, and his commitment to his boys and his attendence at a conference to help stengthen him in all three. If all husbands and fathers made the same commitments as Pat the world would be a much better place.
If you ever need anything do not hesitate to give me a call and as one of the organizers of the Burlington Area Men of Christ we are here to help in anyway we can. Not just in the short term but in the long term as well. You will continue to be in my prayers.
Tributes and Condolences
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