Phyllis Rose (Brecht) Hoerner

Phyllis Rose Hoerner, 90, passed away on November 23, 2024, with her family by her side at Stonehill Health Center in Dubuque. 

Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, November 29th, 2024, at Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Road with a prayer service to be held at 3:45 p.m.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 30th, 2024, at St. Joseph Key West Church with Msgr. Thomas Toale officiating. Entombment will follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery. 

Phyllis, the eldest daughter of Leo and Veronica (Ungs) Brecht, was born in Holy Cross Iowa. She studied nursing at Mount Mercy College in Cedar Rapids and graduated in 1955. She worked as a registered nurse for more than 50 years in Dubuque. Phyllis provided care for hundreds of patients throughout her career at Xavier Hospital, Mercy Medical Center and Hospice of Dubuque. She also cared for many friends and family throughout her life. 

Phyllis continued to give back to her community after retirement, spending her time volunteering at St. Joseph Key West Church, the American Cancer Society’s Discovery Shop, Stonehill Care Center, and the Dubuque Arboretum & Botanical Gardens. 

She married John Hoerner on May 2, 1959, in Holy Cross, Iowa. Phyllis and John lived and were active in the Key West area until his death in 2000. In 2010, Phyllis moved to the Village Cooperative of Asbury. There, she built a strong community of friends and stayed active. 

Phyllis is survived by daughter Lisa (Gary) Wittman and son Bill (Kathy) Hoerner, both of Dubuque, and seven grandchildren whom she dearly loved. Her grandchildren are Tammy (Jim) Robinson, Ted Wittman (Janet), Tonya (Chris) Lenz, Ty (Ashley) Wittman, Tim (Fiancé Audrey) Wittman, Amber (Alex) Gonzalez, and Emily (Dan) Weiler. Phyllis had 10 great grandchildren, and they each brought her so much joy.   

She is also survived by sister Kay Ross, in-laws Ann and Bob Lambe, and sisters-in-law Darlene Hoerner Schmitt and Sally Hoerner, along with many nieces and nephews.  

Phyllis was preceded in death by her husband John, her parents, and her mother- and father- in-law Walter and Gladys Hoerner. 

Phyllis’s family would like to give a special thanks to Vanessa and the entire 3rd floor staff at Stonehill Health Center, Hospice of Dubuque and the nursing community that Phyllis treasured throughout her life.

Memorials may be given to Hospice of Dubuque. 

Phyllis spent her long life caring deeply for her family, nurturing lifelong friendships and helping countless others through her nursing career. Even in her final months, Phyllis was drawn to the nurses’ station at Stonehill. As the adage goes, “once a nurse, always a nurse.” 
 

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