Patricia (Pat) Ann Wheeler (Benner) age 78 of Kansas City, MO. (formerly of Sioux Falls) passed away Thursday, April 8, 2021 after a brief illness.
Pat was born in Bethlehem, PA and remained in the Lehigh Valley area for a few years before her adventures took her to South Dakota. In Sioux Falls, she met and married Daniel Wheeler Sr. and they had one son, Daniel Jr. During her time there, she had many friends and multiple jobs. Certainly, no one could question her work ethic. If she had one job, she considered herself underemployed and would find one or two more.
The organizations that brought the most joy to her heart were managing KFC on East 10th and Cinnabon in the Empire Mall. She considered all who worked on her team to be her kids. To this day, she proudly displays pictures of everyone in two collage collections in her home. She was also very proud that her stores won multiple awards including the D.A.C.A award for employment manager of the year. When she moved to Kansas City, she was employed by North Kansas City Hospital where she met some wonderful new friends.
In her leisure time, she enjoyed listening to the hits of the do-wop era, especially Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. She was also an avid dancer in her younger days and more recently enjoyed road trips with her beloved partner, Elmer, to various casinos.
A common saying among her friends is that Pat is such a great friend and person that they became better because of her. She will be fondly remembered and missed by many.
Grateful for having shared her life are her son Daniel (Cheryl) Wheeler Jr, grandchildren Jessi and Zach, and great granddaughter Guinevere of Kansas City, MO; her mother by heart Ethel Benner, her three sisters Rebecca Hitcho, Victoria (Bill) Prosperi, and Jessie (Jim) Agentis, all from Bethlehem, PA. She is also survived by her beloved nieces and a nephew. She was preceded in death by her partner Elmer Anderson, father Leser Benner, and her cohort in crime, Loretta Phelps.
A celebration of Pat’s life is being planned for a future date. In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to her favorite charity, St Jude's Children's Research Hospital where a memorial fund is established in her honor: http://giftfunds.stjude.org/Pat_Wheeler_Memorial
Co-Worker ,Kansas City ,Missouri
First off I want to say how devastated I was when I found out Pat was no longer with us. Pat was like a grandmother to me. She would always refer me and another co-worker as her grandchildren. She was the hardest worker I have ever saw in my life. She didn’t care what it took she was going to get the job done. She was definitely the funniest and most humble person to be around. She would always say the funniest things when I was with her. Sometimes we would try to one up each other on how bad we could make our jokes. But what it all comes down to is Pat was the most caring person I’ve met. She was family to me. I was planning to go see her before she passed with my friend Dakota Ealey who she considered a grandchild as well. But I was unfortunately unable to see her before she passed and it fills my body with so much guilt. When I was homeless, Pat always told me she would be angry if I didn’t sleep in her spare bedroom. When I was going through some of the worst times In my life, Pat would always give me the best advice and would relate to me on a level that no one could. She would tell me stories about her life just to reassure me that I wasn’t alone. She is a grandmother to me and I am torn that she’s gone, but I’m so happy that she won’t have to hurt anymore and I know how much she loved god so she will fit right in at Heaven. I love you Pat, I hope I get to sit and talk with you some time again. Rest In Peace.
Friend ,Sioux Falls ,South Dakota
I’m so sorry for your loss. I got to know Pat when she worked at West Side City casino. She was the only reason I went in there just so we could visit. We talked about me going down to KC to see her but I never made it. I will miss my friend and the great lady that she was. 🙏 ❤️
Co-worker ,Kansas City
So sorry to hear of the passing of Pat. Always so nice! I'll miss you Pat with a silent M ❤️
