Patricia “Pat” Wernke, 91, of Dubuque, died peacefully on Sunday, January 12, 2025, surrounded by family, at Unity Point Health-Finley Hospital in Dubuque.

A prayer service will be held at 3:45 pm on Thursday, January 16, 2025 at Hoffmann Schneider & Kitchen Funeral Home & Crematory followed by visitation until 7:00 pm.

The Mass of Christian Burial for Pat will be at 10:30 am on Friday, January 17, 2025, at St. Anthony Catholic Church with Father Steven Rosonke as the Celebrant.

Pat was born on September 18, 1933, in North Buena Vista, IA, the daughter of Norman “Sam” and Genevieve (Wachendorf) Brimeyer. On September 10, 1955, she married Henry “Hank” Wernke at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Dubuque. He preceded her in death on April 20, 2013.

Pat graduated from Immaculate Conception High School. She worked at Sears in the catalog department and Tri-State Dialysis as a Nurse’s Aid. Pat was a very devout Catholic and prayed the rosary daily. She loved sports, especially ice skating, where she would often outshine others on the rink. She enjoyed playing euchre, going Christmas caroling, and watching Hank play softball. Above all, she enjoyed having her family around and attending her children’s and grandchildren’s events.

Survivors include five children, Ami (Tom) Wagner of Dubuque; Julie (Steve) Oswalt of Des Moines; Eric Wernke of Davenport; David (Laura) Wernke of Oswego, IL; and Tony (Nikki) Wernke of Dubuque; 14 grandchildren, Erin (Dino) Pagliai, T.J. (Melissa) Wagner, Brian (Heather) Wagner, Rachel Wernke, Nicholas Wernke, Nathan (Kelsey) Wernke, Noah Wernke, Credence Wernke, Maximilian Wernke, Osborne Wernke, Lori Warden and her three children,Tommy (Angie) Oswalt and their two children, Amber (Brian) Bird and their two children, and Sarah Jorges and her daughter; great-grandchildren, Aisling, Kane, Jace, Griffin, and Payton; three sisters-in-law, Joyce Brimeyer, Helen Wernke, and Barb Wernke; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Besides her parents and husband, Pat was preceded in death by one brother, William “Bill” Brimeyer, three brothers-in-law, John “Stretch” Wernke, Donald Wernke, and Fritz Wernke,and two sisters-in-law, Mary Root and Diane “Dee Dee” Hasken.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to St. Anthony Catholic Church.

Pat’s family would like to extend a special thank you to the caregivers that became family at Hawkeye Care Center, especially Jolene, Sister Margaret Anne from St. Anthony Catholic church, Dr. Kumor for his kind and compassionate care and the all of the staff at the Finley ER and 5th floor for helping them through this difficult time.

A photo tribute can be viewed and condolences sent to the family by visiting Pat’s obituary at www.hskfhcares.com.