Patricia Zeka

Patricia Sue Zeka, 73, of Fort Dodge passed away of a broken heart on Tuesday, November 7, 2023 at Trinity Regional Medical Center.

Funeral services will be 10:00 AM Wednesday, November 15, 2023 at St. Olaf Lutheran Church. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery. A visitation will be 4:00 to 7:00 PM Tuesday in the chapel of Laufersweiler Funeral Home.

Pat is survived by her daughters, Kimberly (Scott) Bair, Tamee (Jerad) Helmers; son, Mark Zeka; stepsons, David (Deb) Estlund and Rick Estlund; grandchildren, Zack and Tyler Pringle, Cody Wassenberg, Brandon Waychoff, Allison (Chad) Fakhouri, Kameron and Makala Zeka, Brayden and Natalie Zeka, Jacob Bair, Caitlin Bair, Nicole (Ben) Williams, Madison (Jack) Letsche, Gabriella and Alexa Estlund, and Ashley Estlund; great-grandchildren, Emmett and Kalem Pringle; siblings, Jan (David) Mackedanz, Sandy (Roger) Hallberg, and Rick Veerhusen; last but definitely not least, her cat Sammy.

She was preceded in death by her husband, the love of her life of 35 years, Delbert Estlund; parents, Clarence and Marjorie Veerhusen; grandmother, Esther Corderman; and several aunts and uncles.

Patricia Sue Veerhusen was born March 7, 1950 in Sac City. She graduated from Sac City High School and later moved to Fort Dodge. In 1971, she was united in marriage to Jim Zeka. The couple established their home in Fort Dodge and had 2 daughters, Kim and Tamee and a son, Mark. They were later divorced after 17 years of marriage. Pat devoted her career to helping others. When her children were young, she ran an in home daycare. She retired from Friendship Haven in 2014 after 30 years of being a Nurses' Assistant. After retirement, she enjoyed participating in water aerobics and yoga. She also spent her free time volunteering at the Paula J. Baber Hospice Home. She had a deep passion for birds. On June 3, 1988 she met the love of her life Delbert Estlund. The couple were together for more than 35 years until his passing 11 days prior to herself. Pat enjoyed riding the Harley with Delbert in their earlier years. She was very involved in St. Olaf Church. She would babysit in the nursery, help with Bible Study and even checked in on the elderly members of the church. Pat's great joys were her grandchildren; from years ago when the adult ones were little to the little ones now. She had a very special bond with each one of them.

Memorials may be left to family discretion.