Patricia J. “Pat” (McDermott) Ott, age 75, of rural Dubuque, was called home peacefully at 1:56 p.m., on Friday, March 29, 2019, at Hawkeye Care Center, surrounded by her family and friends. To honor Pat’s life, funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., on Wednesday, April 3, 2019, at Holy Spirit Parish, Holy Ghost Church, 2921 Central Avenue, with Rev. Dwayne J. Thoman officiating. To celebrate Pat’s life, family and friends may visit from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., on Tuesday, April 2, 2019, at Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street, where there will be a parish scripture service held at 6:30 p.m. Burial will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery.

Pat was born on June 22, 1943, in Hazel Green, Wisconsin, daughter of John J. and Virginia (Morris) McDermott.

Pat married Lyle M. Ott on November 3, 1962, at Holy Ghost Church, in Dubuque. She grew up in the New Diggings, Benton and Shullsburg, Wisconsin vicinity. Pat always had a great sense of humor, she could always make you laugh with her wit. She said she must have gotten it from her father, he was a true 100% Irishman. Once she knew your birthday or special occasion, you got a card, she kept Hallmark in business. Pat worked in customer service for over 43 years, first with Tegelers Dairy, managing three Milk Houses in Dubuque from 1972-1982, City of Dubuque Five Flags Center Ticket Office from 1982-2004, and most recently at the Dubuque Greyhound Park as a Pari-Mutuel from 2005-2018. She went on oxygen 24/7 just after starting at the dog track. She always said that going to work gave her an incentive to “go till I drop”. She credits all the help she received from her coworkers, Greyhound Association staff, Q Casino, Valet and Security for all their help in enabling her to continue working as a Pari-Mutuel. Pat enjoyed traveling, concerts, plays, shopping and especially time spent with her daughter and grandchildren.

Those left to cherish Pat’s memory include

her husband,
Lyle Ott, Dubuque, IA;

her daughter,
Tammy (Charlie) Hunt, Dubuque, IA;

her grandson,
Lyle (girlfriend Amy Bowden) Hunt, West Des Moines, IA;

her granddaughter,
Lianna Hunt, San Diego, CA;

her brothers,
John “Jack” McDermott, Dubuque, IA,
Dan (Carol) McDermott, Cuba City, WI
and Michael (Jan) McDermott-Morton, Rockford, IL;

her sisters,
Rose Mary (Paul) Rupp, Dubuque, IA
and Susan (Dwayne) Murphy, Dubuque, IA;

a brother-in-law,
Manuel Echeagaray, San Lorenzo, CA;

and her sisters-in-law,
Shirley McDermott, Dubuque, IA
and Lois Ott-Tarnutzer, Peosta, IA.

Pat was preceded in death by her parents, her grandparents, Jesse and Loretta (Percival) Morris and Catherine and Dan McDermott; her mother and father-in-law, Milton and Bernita (Freiburger) Ott; her sisters, Dorothy Echeagaray and Joann Kegler; her brother, Jim McDermott; her nieces, Corena McDermott-Shaffer and Claudia McDermott; her nephews, David McDermott and Dan Rupp; her sister-in-law, Delores McDermott; her brothers-in-law, John Kegler and Donald Tarnutzer; and a special friend, Shirley Wasmund.

The family would like to give a very special thank you for all the GREAT doctors and staff who took such great care of her over the years: Dr. Mark Janes, who always went the extra mile for Miss Pat, Dr. Bruce Obbink, Dr. Christine Sinsky, Dr. Tom Sinsky, Medical Associates Oncology Department, Finley’s Wendt Center and the retired Dr. John Patrick.

A special thanks also to her co-workers past and present who watched over her. Mom always said she had the best.

Thanks, Sue, for always looking out for mom.

Mom’s favorite quote: “Always think positively, nothing is impossible. Life always offers you a second chance. It’s called tomorrow.” Mom had 75 years of tomorrows with no regrets.

Memorials will be accepted by the family to be distributed among her favorite charities.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.behrfuneralhome.com