Patricia L. Zwack, 73, of Dubuque, died Friday, July 19, 2013 at Mercy Medical Center after a 49 day hospitalization due to respiratory and kidney failure. At the time of her death, she was surrounded by Fr. Allan Dietzenbach and family. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, July 25, 2013 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Celebrant Fr. James Chappell and Fr. Allan Dietzenbach as concelebrant. Burial will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Dubuque. Friends may call from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 24, 2013 at Sacred Heart Church, 2215 Windsor Avenue.


Patricia was born on June 5, 1940 in Dubuque, the daughter of Omer F. and Loretta M. (Schueller) Hammel. She attended Sacred Heart Grade School and was a graduate of The Immaculate Conception High School. She married Thomas J. Zwack at Sacred Heart Church on October 12, 1963. Patricia was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Early on, she was employed as a telephone operator by Northwestern Bell. She then was a wonderful homemaker and babysitter for her three grandchildren. She watched her three grandchildren until the youngest was 13 years of age.


Patricia enjoyed spending time with her family. Patricia’s face would “light up” whenever her great-grandchildren were around her. She loved to play cards, especially euchre. Patricia devoted her life to her family and she enjoyed every minute of it. She loved to cook and excelled at doing so. She used to do ceramics and crochet beautiful blankets. She loved watching cooking shows and watching QVC, the shopping network. She was an avid Cubs fan and watched all games that were televised.


Surviving is her husband of 49 years, Thomas, of Dubuque; her two children Dawn M. (John) Block and Amanda M. (Chris) Brune, all of Dubuque; three grandchildren, Jeremy M. (Tiffany) Block of Epworth, Iowa, Jamie T. Block and his fiancé’, Elissa Habenicht, both of Sparta, Wisconsin and Jordan J. Block and his fiancé’ Abigail Metcalf of East Dubuque, Illinois; six great-grandchildren, Preston, Parker and Grace Block, Courtland and Braylann Block and Lilly Metcalf-Block; one grandchild due in January; three brothers, William (Bonnie) Hammel, Ronald (Marcia) Hammel and Jerry (Carol) Hammel; a sister-in-law, Jean Hammel and a brother-in-law, Roger Dean, all of Dubuque, Iowa, and many nieces and nephews.


She was preceded in death by her parents, Omer and Loretta Hammel; two brothers, Thomas and Joseph Hammel; one sister, Katherine Dean and her mother and father-in-law, Bernard and Jeanne (Thompson) Zwack.


In lieu of flowers, a Patricia L. Zwack memorial fund has been established.


The Zwack family wishes to thank the doctors and nurses at Mercy Hospital for their compassionate care and support.

The Egelhof, Siegert & Casper Westview Funeral Home and Crematory, 2659 JFK Rd. is in charge of arrangements.



On line condolences may be sent to www.egelhofsiegertcasper.com