Patricia Marie Verschelden, age 71, of St. Marys, Kansas, died on February 3, 2026. She was born on July 9, 1954, in Topeka, Kansas to Peggy and George Verschelden.

Pat attended Immaculate Conception Grade School, St. Marys High School, and Kansas State University, where she played in the marching band and earned a degree in social work. She returned to school later for a graduate degree in accounting from the University Missouri at Kansas City. Pat worked for the Kansas Department of Revenue for 42 years, working in corporate sales tax, traveling to many places across the United States.

Pat was a dedicated public servant in every part of her life, giving her time and resources to many worthy causes. She was devoted to her family and to her group of close friends in St. Marys and at work. Her decades-long volunteer work with the Court Appointed Special Advocate program (CASA) helped many children find the help they needed in the social service system. At her church, Immaculate Conception, she was a cantor for over 25 years and served on the finance council, among many other ways she contributed to life of the church. She also served on an education finance committee for the Archdiocese of Kansas City. She was active for years in the Jerry Lewis Telethon efforts in St. Marys, raising funds for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. She was very involved with the St. Marys Historical Society (which she often referred to as the “Hysterical Society”) and the Democratic Party.

She is survived by her mother, Peggy Verschelden, her brothers David Verschelden (Susan), Tim Verschelden (Debi), Mark Verschelden (Katherine), her sisters Cia Verschelden, and Mary Pezza (Mike), and sister-in-law Cathy Verschelden. She was beloved favorite “Aunt Pat” to all her nieces and nephews: George Verschelden, Patty McKenna, Katie Verschelden, Michael Verschelden, Emma Mercier, Maria Pezza, Abraham Denner, Michaela Pezza, Thomas Verschelden, John Vonagher, Matthew Verschelden, Lucas Verschelden, Mattea Pezza, Daniel Verschelden, Samuel Verschelden, Sarah Verschelden, and Tristan Verschelden. Her great-nieces and -nephews will know her mainly from the memories of their parents: Paul, Logan, Will, Charlotte, Lani, Parker, Violet, Maia, Eileen, Brooke, and Wesley.

Pat was preceded in death by her father, George Verschelden, and her brother Matt Verschelden.

Visitation will be held on Friday, February 6, from 5:00-7:00 pm at the Piper Funeral Home in St. Marys, and a Mass will be held at 11:00 am, Saturday, February 7 at Immaculate Conception Church in St. Marys.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Immaculate Conception Church and the St. Marys Historical Society and may be left in care of Piper Funeral Home, 714 Maple St., St. Marys, KS 66536.