Patrick Francis O'Donnell
December 13, 1951 - July 02, 2022
Obituary
MOUNT HOREB / PORT EWEN, N.Y. - Patrick Francis O’Donnell, age 70, of Mount Horeb, Wis., and Port Ewen, N.Y., passed away on Saturday, July 2, 2022, at St. Mary’s Hospital from lung cancer. Pat was born on Dec. 13, 1951, in Kingston, N.Y., to Francis J. O’Donnell and Virginia (Rosenkranse) O’Donnell. He grew up hunting, fishing, skiing, camping and boating on the Hudson River and nearby Catskill Mountains. He graduated from Norwich University in 1974 and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army (Medical Service Corps) that same year. For 28 years, he served his country in Germany, St. Louis, San Antonio, Alaska, Massachusetts and in Madison with the Wisconsin Army National Guard. His guard unit (13th Evacuation Hospital) was deployed to Saudi Arabia during Operation Desert Storm. In civilian life, he was postmaster for the U.S. Postal Service in Hollandale and Argyle, retiring in 2014.
Pat married Kathy Weitzel in Cahokia, Ill., a suburb of St. Louis, in 1980 and, after various Army assignments, settled in Mount Horeb in 1988. Together they raised their daughters, Elisabeth and Maureen, who were the pride and joy of his life. Pat enjoyed history (especially military and Civil War), reading, Yankees baseball, Badgers basketball, a good beer, jigsaw puzzles, playing softball and pickleball, but was happiest in the outdoors, especially pheasant hunting with his faithful English springer spaniel, Louie. He was an active member of VFW Post 9511.
Pat was a quiet man with a twinkle in his eyes. When Pat was around, the world seemed a safer place. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
Pat is survived by his wife, Kathy; daughters, Elisabeth (Jon) Hedges and Maureen Cassady; granddaughters, Eleanor and Paige Hedges; step-grandchildren, Devon Cassady and Aurora Lambert; siblings, Sue (Joe) Leiching, Tim (Linda) O’Donnell and Michelle Zenzel; siblings-in-law, Franny (John) Weitzel-Callan, Mary Ann Weitzel, Tim Weitzel, Laurie Veenendaal and Deb Weitzel; special cousin-in-law and friend, Mike (Monica) Weitzel; and other aunts, cousins, nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; son-in-law, Michael Cassady; nephew, Gregory Zenzel; brother-in-law, Bob Weitzel; parents-in-law, George Weitzel and Naomi Houseright; and many loved aunts and uncles.
The family would like to thank Dr. Mullvain and the always cheerful nursing staff who took such good care of Pat during his illness. We will also be forever grateful for the support we received from family and friends.
A visitation will be held at Gunderson Camacho Mount Horeb Funeral and Cremation Care, 500 N. Eighth St., Mount Horeb, from 10 a.m. until 12 noon on Friday, July 8, 2022. Friends and family are invited to a celebration of life for Pat at VFW POST 9511, 2787 Erbe Road, Blue Mounds, on Friday from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. A private family service will be held.
Memorials may be made to VFW Post 9511. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson Camacho Mount Horeb
Funeral & Cremation Care
500 N. Eighth St.
(608) 437-5077