Patricia "Pat" Vanderpool

Patricia “Pat” Dianne (Wuerdeman) Vanderpool passed away at Labette Health Center in Independence, Kansas, on Thursday, April 15, 2021 at the age of 73.

Patricia was born on June 26, 1947 in Independence, KS to Edna L. (Clifton) McDowell and Aurthur H. Wuerdeman.  She attended school in Independence and Fredonia, KS.  On June 29, 1963, she married Billie A. Hull.  During their 32 year marriage, they had five children: Tammy D. (Les) Spicer of Fredonia, KS, Billie A. (Christy) Hull of Camdenton, MO, Cheryl A. Engebretsen of Bird City, KS, Frankie G. (Yvonne) Hull of Coffeyville, KS, and Matthew W. (Suzanna) Hull of Plano, TX.  Billie A. Hull preceded her in death on January 9, 1995.  Patricia has sixteen grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren through her biological children.

She married John “Harley” H. Heldstab in 1995.  Together they enjoyed living at the Lake of the Ozarks, boating, fishing, and antiquing.  Following his death on August 3, 2004, she moved back to Kansas to be close to her family.

On October 14, 2007, Pat married John V. Vanderpool and gained three children through marriage: Johnny E. (Teresa) Vanderpool of Union Town, KS, Julie D. Vanderpool of Caney, KS, and Tony E. Vanderpool of Big Cabin, OK.  She also gained twelve grandchildren, twenty five great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild.  Pat and John enjoyed a happy marriage gardening and antiquing together.  They would often spend time at Riverside Park enjoying the beautiful flowers while taking a stroll.

During various points in her life, Patricia served as a cook for the Fredonia USD 484 school district, and a security guard working at both Cessna, Independence, KS, and CVR, Coffeyville, KS.  She was a believer in Christ and enjoyed spending time at Church.  Pat also enjoyed livestock and, at the time of her death, was the caretaker of several chickens, ducks and a goose.  She loved her animals, gardening, crafting, and attending auctions.  She was always on the move and didn’t like down time.  Her happiest moments were spent with those she loved and sharing the fruits of her labor.  She welcomed the opportunity to stop by with a bag of fresh vegetables from her garden or a carton of eggs from her chickens and ducks.  Always thinking of others, it was nothing for her to pick something up at an auction or garage sale with a specific person in mind.

Patricia is preceded in death by her parents, Billie A. Hull and John “Harley” H. Heldstab.  She is survived by John V. Vanderpool, Independence, KS, her only sibling Cheryl “Susie” S. Street, Wichita, KS, her eight children, twenty-eight grandchildren, thirty seven great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild.

A celebration of life will be held Wednesday, April 21 at 10am at Potts Chapel in Independence, KS.  Burial will follow the service at Cheatham Koger cemetery near Lafontaine, KS.  Facemasks will be required at the service in Potts Funeral Home, but are discretionary at the graveside.  Livestream of the service will be available on the Potts Funeral Home Facebook page.  In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Independence Riverside Park and Zoo. To leave the family a special message of condolence, please visit, www.pottsfuneralhome.com.