Zak, Patricia

Other Events:

• Obituary: Aft 12 Dec 2013

Notes:

Obituary:
Patricia Ann (Zak) Murphy, 81, of Appleton, passed away on Thursday, December 12, 2013 at St. Elizabeth Hospital. She was born in Iron Mountain, Michigan on November 20, 1932, daughter of the late Albert and Ida (Jarvey) Zak. Patricia was married to James K. Murphy on January 7, 1950, nearing their 64th wedding anniversary of which she often spoke about with pride and joy.
Patricia was always happy and eager to prepare her delicious homemade meals to her family when her children were young, and was filled with such joy also to have her great grandchildren nearby her home to continue what she loved the most - cooking and loving her family.
She was an avid gardener, creating beautiful arrangements of beds filled with roses and assorted flowers while always calling her spouse, "Jimmy Boy" with such endearment as to what to plant in the garden that year. She loved the simple things in life, such as her housekeeping, cooking, gardening, and babysitting her grandchildren as they were growing up, and then her great grandchildren, who all affectionally who called her "Oma".
She was a woman of great faith, always trusting in God during all her sufferings. Many who knew or met her even during her short battle with cancer, were also moved to see how strong she handled adversities and crosses in her life. She touched the hearts of others with her infectious smile, and her generous and giving ways as a spouse, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, in comforting her family as her illness continued on.
She will always be missed dearly by her husband and family members. A mother holds her children's hands for a moment, but their hearts forever and the memories of her beautiful life will remain with them always.
She is survived by her husband, James; 5 children, Kevin (Lizabeth) Murphy, Appleton; Colleen (John) Willard, Bartlett, IL and their children, Brian (Rachel Yacapraro) Willard, Christopher (Jessica) Willard, Kyle Willard; Maureen (Peter) Strobach, Round Lake Beach, IL and their children, Stefanie (John) Ignoffo, Chad (Brenda) Strobach, Dr. Natalie (Dr. Michael Graziano) Strobach; Cynthia (the late Kirk) Eckholm, Menasha and her children, Shawn (Laura) Apitz, Amber (Peter Engle) Matthias, Trevor, Ryan and Keifer Matthias; Michael (Kathy) Murphy, Schaumburg, IL and their children Courtney, Sadie and Bridget Murphy. Her beloved 11 great-grandchildren, Belle, Sebastian, Zakary, Hailie, Izabelle, Hanz, Zoe, Aaron, Sofia, Mylena and Adeline. Patricia is also survived by her sister, Jean (the late Glen) Weber and her niece Beverly (Meyer) Lobermier.
She is preceded in death by her 7 sisters: Vi Mayer, Arlene Sonnleitner, Rosemary Locke, Helen Jane Allen, Ellen Anderson,, June Zak and Mary Zak; 4 brothers: Chet, Randy, Albert Jr., and Lindberg "Lindy" Zak.
The funeral liturgy for Pat will be held on Tuesday, December 17, 2013 at ST. THOMAS MORE CATHOLIC CHURCH, 1810 N. McDonald St. with Fr. Gerald Falk officiating. Interment will be in St. Mary's cemetery. A time of visitation will be held on Monday, December 16, 2013 at the Wichmann Funeral Home Tri County Chapel from 4:00 PM until 7:00PM with a rosary at 7:00 PM and on Tuesday from 9:30 AM until the time of the service at the church. Online condolences may be expressed at www.wichmannfargo.com.
The family would like to thank the nurses, staff and doctors in the ICU ward of St Elizabeth hospital, and especially to her spiritual director, Rev. Gerald Falk and to Dr. Goggins and the staff at the Oncology Department.

Patricia married Murphy, James "Jim" 7 Jan 1950. James (son of Murphy, James and Reese, Edith) was born 5 Feb 1928, Appleton, Outagamie, Wisconsin, USA; died 24 Jul 2017; was buried , St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery, Appleton, Wisconsin, USA. [Group Sheet]

Cynthia — Eckholm, Kirk. [Group Sheet]