Linda J. Eisbach Pemsl, 55, of Dubuque, died April 18, 2004 at home, following an extraordinary six-year battle with cancer.  Linda was born on November 7, 1948 in Dubuque, daughter of William and Jeanne Eisbach.  She attended the former Visitation Academy and graduated from Wahlert High School in 1966.

Linda married David Pemsl on November 25, 1972 at Nativity Catholic Church, Dubuque.  She went back to school and graduated from The Finley School of Nursing in 1985, and received her bachelor of science in nursing degree from the University of Dubuque in 1986.

She was employed as an emergency room nurse at The Finley Hospital and until 2002 was with the Finely Homecare/Visiting Nurses Association.  One of Linda's proudest moments was receiving The Finley Hospital Caring Hearts Award in 1994.  This award highlighted Linda's constant compassion and understanding of all patients she took care of.

Linda's amazing outlook on life allowed her to enjoy every moment with her family and friends.  She never thought of herself as dying of cancer, rather, she believed she was living with it.  With this miraculous resolve, Linda beat the odds more than once and lived her last years embracing her family and friends, and taking pleasure in everything life had to offer.  She will be missed and forever remembered by many.

Surviving are her husband, David Pemsl of Dubuque, three daughters, Heidy (Garrett) LaFleur, of Chicago, and Katy and Greta Pemsl, both at home; two wonderful grandchildren, Cordell Pemsl, at home, and Lillian LeFleur, of Chicago; her father, William (Helen) Eisbach, of Dubuque, a brother Steve Eisbach of Sacramento, CA; two sisters, Mary (Mike) Devlin and Kathy (Charles) Howe, both of Cicero, IN.  She was preceded in death by her mother, Jeanne Eisbach in 1971.