Patrick "Pat" Herman Sweeney

Patrick “Pat” Herman Sweeney, age 88 of Elma, who passed peacefully on Thursday, June 11, 2026, at Colonial Manor of Elma surrounded by loved ones.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Elma with Rev. Telesphore Dusabe celebrating the Mass. Interment will be held at Calvary Cemetery in Elma, with Brad Shatek, Eric Shatek, Allen Teggatz, Blake Drewelow, Chace Doyal, Justen Brown, Phil Cowan, and Matt Bormann serving as pallbearers.  Jason Lechtenberg and the community of Colonial Manor of Elma will be serving as honorary pallbearers.

Friends are invited to greet the family from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at Hugeback – Johnson Funeral Home & Crematory in Elma, where there will be a 4:30 p.m. Rosary service that is open to the public. Visitation continues one hour before the Mass at the church on Wednesday.

Hugeback – Johnson Funeral Home & Crematory in Elma has been entrusted with arrangements.

Patrick “Pat” Sweeney, who was born on September 21, 1937 in Elma, Iowa to Herman and Margaret (Boyle) Sweeney. He lived a long and faithful life marked by hard work, devotion to family, and a deep appreciation for the simple blessings of everyday life.

Pat was born in Elma, Iowa, to a family and community that helped shape the steady, dependable man he would become. He graduated from St. Williams Catholic School in Alta Vista, and from an early age he learned the value of responsibility, perseverance, and service to others. Those qualities remained with him throughout his life and were reflected in the way he approached both work and family.

Pat spent the majority of his life farming, and he took great pride in the work of his hands. He was a farmer-dairy by trade, but his abilities extended far beyond the fields and barn. He also worked in carpentry, tiling, and as a substitute bus driver, proving himself to be a true jack of all trades. No matter the task, Pat was known as a man who could be counted on to get the job done. He was handy, resourceful, and tireless in his efforts, and his strong work ethic left a lasting impression on all who knew him.

On August 22, 1964, Pat married the love of his life, Eileen (Frana), at Our Lady of Lourdes, which was officiated by her uncle Father Clarence Frana. Their love story began in Rochester, where they met at a dance at the Pla-Mor Ballroom and quickly found themselves circle two stepping together. Eileen was from Maple Leaf, and together they built a life centered on faith, family, and hard work. They bought a farm in Elma and never left, creating a home filled with love, steadiness, and shared purpose. Their marriage lasted 61 years, a testament to their devotion to one another and the life they built side by side.

Pat was a devoted husband, father, and family man who loved his loved ones deeply. He was very faithful and lived his life in a way that reflected his beliefs and values. He treasured time with his family and found joy in the traditions that brought everyone together. One of the many ways he showed his love was by baking a custom birthday cake for each person in the family, a thoughtful gesture that made every celebration feel special. He also enjoyed the little pleasures in life, including ice cream and Kool-Aid, which he loved with the same sincerity he brought to everything else.

He had a special fondness for animals and cared for them with kindness and respect. He also enjoyed farm auctions and garage sales, where he could put his sharp eye and practical nature to use. Pat appreciated good finds, useful tools, and the satisfaction of discovering something with value and purpose. His interests reflected his personality, practical, observant, and always ready to see the good in what others might overlook.

Those who knew Pat will remember him as a man who was faithful, handy, hardworking, and deeply devoted to the people and life he loved. He carried himself with humility and strength, and he left behind a legacy of integrity, love, and steadfast commitment. His presence will be deeply missed by all who were fortunate enough to know him.

Pat is survived by his wife Eileen Sweeney of Elma; son Patrick Sweeney of Clear Lake; daughters: Pauline (Tom) Shatek of Elma, Susan (Tom) Teggatz of Hampton, and Sheryn (Ron) Drewelow of Clear Lake; sisters Enid (Joe) Wysocki of Dubuque and Yvonne McKeon of Dubuque; grandchildren: Brad (Jamie) Shatek, Jennifer Dellaert, Nikki (Phil) Cowan, Eric Shatek, Allen Teggatz, Patricia Teggatz, Tayler (Chace) Doyal, Madison (Justen) Brown, Lauryn (Matt) Bormann, Riley Drewelow, and Blake Drewelow; 14 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents Herman and Margaret (Boyle) Sweeney; sisters Nancy Sweeney and Connie Dykes; brother-in-law Jim McKeon; grandson Dallas Drewelow; and great-grandson Bo Brown.

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