Obituary
Patricia “Patti” Jean Peschel (nee Beirne)
Patricia “Patti” Jean Peschel (nee Beirne) passed away peacefully on September 15, 2020, at Mayo Clinic Health System, La Crosse, with her family by her side. After many years of health struggles and setbacks, Patti deserved a rest.
She was born to Smith and Inez (Hegge) Beirne on August 8, 1950. The 6th of 9 children, Patti honed her sharp wit, feistiness, and open heart from an early age. All of which endeared her to and embarrassed her family when directed at an unsuspecting clerk.
She married the love of her life, Sam, on August 21, 1971. They spent their nearly 50 years of marriage supporting, caring for, and laughing with each other. Their dedication and love was unmatched.
Patti was giving and big-hearted, whether it was generous gifts for no special reason or welcoming everyone and putting them at ease with her humor and non-judgemental character. This attitude extended into her chosen profession of nursing: She began her career as a CNA and ended it as an RN; completing her degree at the top of her class at WWTC while managing 2 pre-teen daughters and her husband. She spent 20 years caring for the residents at Lakeview Health Center.
More than anything, Patti loved being with her family. Her daughters were the lucky recipients of daily phone calls (sometimes more!) and her favorite vacations were planned with them and their families. Spending time with her sisters and brothers, nieces, nephews, and friends was a priority. She was proudest of her grandchildren, though. And despite her health-related limitations she always stayed involved and interested in their lives and maintained a close, special relationship with each of them.
Patti was preceded in death by her parents, Smith and Inez Beirne, her infant sister, Donna, and her sister, Judy Sonsalla. Patti is survived by her husband, Eugene “Sam” Peschel; daughter Nikki and son-in-law Scott Hoch; daughter Andrea and son-in-law Tim Oldenburg; and her grandchildren, Harrison and Milo Hoch and Gwen Oldenburg. She is also survived by her sisters and brothers: Rita (Donnie) Becker, John (Susan) Beirne, Buck (Peggy) Beirne, Dick (Lisa) Beirne, Paul (Alison) Beirne, Jane (Tony) Jensen, and Zona (Andy) Kern and many nieces and nephews.
Personal invitations will be sent to immediate family for a private funeral mass to be held at 11 AM on Tuesday, September 22, 2020, St. Patrick Catholic Church, Onalaska. Others may join viewing the livestream of the mass on stpatsonalaska.com. A celebration of Patti’s life will be held at a later date, when it is safer to do so.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Patti’s name to St. Patrick School in Onalaska.
My heartfelt prayers and love go out to all of you – especially to you dear Sam, Nikki and Andrea and your families. I so loved my dear first cousin Patti, and will truly miss her more than I can imagine. Very few people could make me laugh as hard as she could, and all of us who knew and loved her were truly blessed having her in our lives. Until we are reunited with her in our real home in Heaven, we will all truly miss her and cherish the wonderful gift of her life and love,
Love and prayers from cousin Jody, John and Jacob Nelson (and Aunt Avis too).
Beautiful words about a beautiful soul. I can still hear her laugh in my head.
Some of my favorite childhood moments involved your family. It was always a special time to visit your place in Chicago.
Sending you all lots of love and hugs,
Stephanie, Will & Kate
Our sincere sympathy to our neighbor, Sam, and his family in the death of his wife, Patti. May God be with you in your sorrow and strengthen you.
In Christ, Ellis and Judy Stetzer
My name is Ann. I worked at Mayo as a PCT. i took care of Pat many times over the years. She was always so kind and funny, and her husband Sam is the best. They were like family! Rest in peace Pat. Love, Ann