Obituary of Patricia Louise Pratt

Funeral Services for Patricia Louise Pratt of Elsberry, MO, will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, November 10, 2023 at Elsberry United Methodist Church. Rev. Laura Taylor, church pastor, will officiate with burial in the Elsberry City Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers will be Nick Pratt, Jared Pratt, Jeff Pratt, Ryan McElfish, Joey Welch and Eli Turner. Honorary pallbearers will be Logan Pratt, Rylan Pratt, William Murray, Josh Turner, Josh Byas and Eric Windle. With profound sadness, we announce the passing of Patricia Louise McMillin Schuchmann Pratt, our loving mother, grandmother, sister and friend to all whose lives she touched on November 3, 2023. She left us while sleeping peacefully at her home in Elsberry at the age of 92. Pat was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 67 years, Robert Pratt; her son, Robert Alan Pratt; her brothers: Connie McMillin and Philip “Mac” Schuchmann; and her son-in-law, Allen Dale Riefle. She was born August 12, 1931 in Everett, WA to Conrad Baker McMillin and Pauline Eleanor Jolliff. Pat was cherished dearly by her big brother, Conrad “Connie” McMillin, Jr. Sadly, her father died when she was young. Pat remembers her father always smiling and had a song for car rides. She believes that is where her love for singing started. Pat’s mother married Philip Schuchmann, who raised her and Connie as his own. Their family grew to include sister, Phyllis “Sissy” Schuchmann and baby brother, Philip “Mac” Schuchmann. Pat was a 1949 graduate of Elsberry High School. This is where she met her future husband, Robert Pratt. Now, some may say it was love at first sight. Some may say she ran down to Texas and he followed her. Whichever is true, the couple was married in Foley, MO on July 29, 1950. This marriage was blessed with four children: Bobby, Billy, Nancy and Paula. Pat and Bob raised their family on a farm just outside of Elsberry. Once all her children were in school, Pat decided to return to the workforce, most jobs being in the business world. She retired as Administrative Assistant of the Vice President of Operation of Coca-Cola in 1996. Of course, Pat couldn’t just sit at home, so she returned to work at American Family Insurance with her dear friend, Margie Koch. Many may remember her as the friendly face in the office. She always had a smile on her face and a unique whistle while she worked. Patricia had a huge love for music and is well known for singing in the church choir at the Elsberry United Methodist Church, where she was a member for 70 years. She was a Sunday School Teacher and served on the Pastor Parish Committee. Pat was a member of the Palmer Library Committee, the Jessie Black Club, and a member of the Red Hat Society. She was also a Boy Scout Leader and a member of the Women’s Auxiliary of the American Legion. Pat leaves her surviving children, Bill Pratt and his wife, Suzette, Nancy McElfish and her husband, Richard, and Paula Riefle; 10 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren and 6 great, great-grandchildren. Visitation will be held from 4:00-8:00 p.m. Thursday, November 9, 2023 at Carter-Ricks Funeral Home in Elsberry. Memorials may be made to the Elsberry United Methodist Church (or) Joseph R. Palmer Family Memorial Library in care of Carter-Ricks Funeral Home, 107 S. 5th Street; Elsberry, MO 63343.