Patricia Ann (Burk) Beach of Parsons died on Friday, June 20, 2025.
She was born in Tacoma, Washington, on June 3, 1955. Patricia Ann Beach — Pat to most, Mom to a few, grandma to more and, “Oh no, not her again,” to at least one neighbor — peacefully passed away at age 70 surrounded by family. We suspect from boredom, as none of her daughters had done anything to stress her out lately. She likely arrived at the pearly gates swinging, assaulted poor St. Peter for helping her and declared, “I can do it my damn self!” before strutting into Heaven in classic Pat fashion.
Born with a fiery head of red hair, a strong opinion and stubborn independence, Pat lived a life full of sass, sarcasm and strong, unending love of her children and grandchildren.
On July 7, 1979, she married the love of her life, Dana Beach. Together, they built a life of memories, love and laughter. In 1993, Dana passed away, and Pat raised three daughters on her own, using grit, dark humor and a parenting style that could only be described as “survival of the fittest.” (We all survived.)
She received her bachelor’s degree in accounting and loved numbers. Her hobbies included taking on projects she absolutely should not have, but did anyway. She was a gardener, crocheter, astrology aficionado, true crime junkie and full-time mischief maker. In early years, she attempted to chart her children’s births and offered suggestions on what professions they would have. Boy, was she way off. She enjoyed watching documentaries on cult leaders like Jim Jones and then thoughtfully offering her children Kool-Aid, because that’s the kind of love she gave, equal parts disturbing and hilarious. She loved spending time with Ginger, her dog, who’s probably confused but relieved that the house is finally quiet so she can steal extra dog food from the bag.
She spent the last five years of her life working at Walmart, calling it the best job she ever had — probably because it combined people-watching with unlimited opportunities to brag about the grandchildren she loved so much.
Pat is survived by her three daughters, Candi (Freed) Anderson (the loud one who shares Pat’s stubbornness), Port Huron, Michigan, Stacy (Todd) Sutton (the passive-aggressively neutral one who says she’s “fine”), Independence, and Katrina Beach, the baby (and obviously the favorite); 10 grandchildren, Kenzie, Keely, Hannah, Dani, Ross, Gabby, Damion, Loki, Kristen and Austin; seven great-grandchildren, Gavin, Amelia, Kye, Myles, JesseMae, Peighton and A.J.; a brother, Alvin Burk, Colorado Springs, Colorado; and a sister, Joanne (Dusty) Pirnie, Phoenix, Arizona.
She is joining her husband, Dana (who has had to take a break from bass fishing because the wife is coming); her father, Ervin Burk Sr., (where she inherited her stubborn nature); her mother, Clara Burk; her other mother, Charlotte (Baldwin) Morgan; her grandmother, Lela Mae Pyle; her older sister, Charlene Rosignol; her brothers, Ervin Jr. and Chris Burk; and her grandson, Gavin Goss, will also greet her.
Pat has vowed to haunt her children “for funsies,” with special attention to her grandson Loki (sweet dreams, kid). The family will be keeping Ouija boards on hand for scheduled visits on holidays.
In all seriousness, Pat lived her life loudly, loved fiercely and leaves behind a legacy of tenacity, strength, hilarity and a lot of “what the hell did she just say?” Life will not be the same without her, and we will all miss her endlessly.
The service will be at 1 p.m. Monday, July 7, at Forbes Hoffman Funeral Home with a graveside burial to follow at Springhill Cemetery, Parsons.
The family suggests memorials to benefit the education of Pat’s grandchildren. Checks may be made payable to Stacy Sutton and may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS, 67357.
Leave online condolences at www.forbeshoffman.com.
