Patrick Francis Dowd, 75, of Boelus died Tuesday, April 26 at his home.

Patrick (Pat) was born in Grand Island on October 13, 1940 to Frank T. and Doris K. (Thompson) Dowd. Pat attended St. Mary's grade school and graduated from Grand Island Central Catholic (GICC) in 1958. He went on to receive a Bachelor of Arts in History from Creighton University (1967). He was a member of Iota Kappa Epsilon fraternity in which he made lifelong friends.

On June 3, 1967 Pat was united in marriage to Suzanne Kanouff at Christ the King Church in Omaha. After marriage they returned to Grand Island to manage Dreisbach's Steakhouse; which was owned by his father Frank. Pat took over ownership of the restaurant in the 1970's, and by 1987, added Dreisbach's Steakhouse Inc. (DSI) which distributed the well-known steaks all over the world.


Pat and his family were members of St. Mary's Church and supporters of GICC middle/high school. He was a long time football and track coach at GICC during the 1990's and early 2000's. During his time as a shot put and discus coach at GICC, he aided several students in medaling at the state track tournament. Pat was also active in the Nebraska Restaurant Association earning their "Restaurateur of the Year" award in 1988. Past memberships include Fonner Park Board of Directors, Stuhr Museum and Grand Island Chamber of Commerce.


He enjoyed being with his family, listening to music, watching western and World War II movies and Nebraska football. Pat was an avid reader of historical non-fiction books specifically in the area of Native American studies and post-Civil War history. He loved going for long car drives with his family and sharing memories of growing-up in Nebraska. Pat also looked forward to phone conversations with friends and relatives which usually consisted of many belly laughs.


Survivors include his wife of 48 years: Suzanne of Boelus; children: David (Denise) Dowd of Omaha, Carrie Dowd of Omaha, Angela (Mark) Croot of Boelus, Katie (Matthew) Keller of St. Paul, NE; seven grandchildren: Cameron and Isabella Dowd of Omaha, Christian Glover of Omaha, Dalton (Cassidy) Croot of San Diego, Hunter and Brody Croot of Grand Island, Thomas Keller of St. Paul, NE; uncle: Father Tom Dowd of Denver, CO; and nieces and nephews who he loved very much and enjoyed visiting.


Patrick was preceded in death by his parents; sister: Mary Jo Dowd; and infant brother Michael Dowd.

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Mass of Christian Burial will be at 1:30 PM Monday, May 2, 2016 at St. Mary's Cathedral. Fr. Richard Piontkowski and Fr. Tom Dowd will concelebrate. Burial of ashes will be at a later date. Visitation and vigil will be from 7- 9 p.m. at St. Mary's Cathedral. Livingston-Sondermann Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.Memorials will go to the family's choice for later designation.