Patricia Plegge Pratt

Patricia J. Pratt, 60, of St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, died Tuesday, March 9, 2021, at Schneider Regional Medical Center. A service will be held at 10:30 a.m., July 24 at the Evangelical United Church of Christ in Marysville. The service will be livestreamed on Kinsley Mortuary’s Facebook Page. Burial will follow in the Marysville City Cemetery. Pat was born November 19, 1960, into a family to become the youngest daughter of her parents, Arlo and Inez Frerking Plegge, residing near Marysville. She was baptized at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church. At a young age, Pat developed a love for cooking and a greater love for animals. In 1979, she graduated from Marysville High School. Memories shared from near and far always comment on her quick wit, radiant smile, and playful laugh. Pat was a loyal soul; she was true to her tribe and welcomed new friends near and afar throughout her journeys of life. She was always more worried about others and rarely complained about anything ailing her. Pat is the mother of 2 children, Natasha and Nicholas. She was blessed to be able to stay home with them during their younger years and babysat for others in the community. She raised various breeds of domestic birds and had her first parrot Levi. Time allowed a trusting relationship with Pat and Levi, he could mimic her voice and frequent sayings to a T, would eat from her hand and shared kisses with his master. She raised parakeets, cockatiels, and love birds. Striving to be better, learn more and longing to experience more urban and city living, Pat’s next adventure was to Manhattan, KS, where she attended Vo-tech and acquired valuable skills that allowed her to continue to better herself. She went from a stocker/clerk at Wal-Mart to a valued sales associate with the Phone Connection. Pat then worked for TDM Custom Tool and Design based out of Manhattan. After several years TDM closed their local office and Pat’s journey took her to the St. Louis, MO, area. For as long as one can remember, Pat has always carried a large displeasure for the colder weather, so in 2008 her journeys took her to the Caribbean Sea, and the island of St. Thomas, the U.S. Virgin Islands. Her son had been on the island for a couple years and after visiting and exploring employment opportunities she minimized her belongings and headed far south. Pat worked in the downtown area of the island in offices. In 2010, Pat and then husband, Billy, become owners and operators of the “Opus” a 50-foot trimaran and chartered many voyages sharing the beauty of the Caribbean to others through the waters to favorite snorkeling and diving sites. Pat and Popquita, her beloved chihuahua, shared the title of First Mate and Pat was the chef for the Opus; always preparing different menus to accommodate the likes and wants of their visitors. Keep in mind, they were often on the open seas 7-10 days at a time and needed to ensure adequate provisions. Countless memories and lasting friendships were developed with Pat throughout the journeys on the Opus. 2017 – a year to never be forgotten. As hurricane Harvey, soon followed by Irma, and then Maria was in formation and the catastrophic outcomes expected - the Opus ventured to St. Croix another island close by and then farther down sea to Grenada to try and recover from the devastation. In Grenada, Pat then for the first time in 7 years, was able to live on land and fell in love again with ground underfoot and retired her sea legs. 2019 was a year of change for Pat; she parted from the Opus and Grenada and returned to St. Thomas to rejoin her children. She spent time traveling stateside to the mid-west to surprise her sister, brother, and niece with a visit. Something Pat always enjoyed – making unannounced visits and surprising her mother and family. 2019 was also a year that Pat started to not feel well and had some concerning areas on her collar bone that caused discomfort. By the end of the year Pat had become terribly ill and was flown commercially to Ft. Lauderdale Florida with her son; she needed medical treatment stateside. Multiple Myeloma was the beast eating at Pat, she fought valiantly for 14 months. After discharge from the hospital in Florida, she returned to Kansas to live with her sister and brother-in-law for 3 months where she was able to gain strength and improved nourishment, and control of the pain involved with the cancer. April 2020, her journey returned her to the island to live with Nicholas and Natasha. While receiving treatment she was able to achieve a short remission of the Multiple Myeloma before it began raging throughout her body. January 2021, she and Nick spent several weeks in San Juan Puerto Rico where she received radiation treatments; later to return to St. Thomas to be home and in the care of her children as treatment was no longer effective. Pat had a deep love for animals, all animals. She would get so excited when dolphins would be around their mourn at sea – all sightings led her longing for more, often joking, “I will jump in if they come around the boat close enough so I can swim with them”. Horses and donkeys on island were sure to get some love and attention if she spied them. One of the many day adventures to new places pat was able to handle and feed a monkey; you can imagine her excitement. She has a bird now, Rio. He has taken a lot of patience and work but has taken to Pat with trust. Pat passed with Nicholas at her side on March 9, 2021, at the Schneider Regional Medical Center, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. She is survived by children, Natasha Rhodes Goodrich and Nicholas Rhodes, both of St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; sister, Linda (Butch) Schmitz; brother, Doug (Janet) Plegge; grandchildren, Devon and Essence Goodrich, Manhattan, KS; nieces, a nephew, and many dear friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Arlo Plegge of Home, KS, and Inez Plegge of Oketo, KS. A memorial has been established for the newly constructed Bark Park, located at 8th and Jackson St., in Marysville. Contributions may be sent in care of Kinsley Mortuary. Video link to funeral for Patricia (Plegge) Pratt To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Patricia Plegge Pratt, please visit our flower store.