The Richmond News, Apr. 18, 2025

Pat Mills

Pat Mills, 69, Orrick, passed away April 13, 2025, at her home. A visitation will be held 6-8 p.m. Friday, April 18, at Hidden Valley Funeral Home of Richmond, 9502 Leathers Road. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 19, at Union Baptist Church, 31420 W. 88th St., Orrick. Graveside services will follow the funeral at the Union Baptist Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are asked to be made to the Ray County Senior Center or Orrick Lions Club.

Pat was born Sept. 15, 1955, in Riverside to Delmer and Goldie Ohrenberg. She was raised and continued to live in the Orrick area her entire life.

Pat graduated in 1973 from Orrick High School. She was married to Roger Mills on Sept. 28, 1973. She worked for Clark Printing in North Kansas City for more than 20 years before retiring to care for her ailing mother. In the interim, she volunteered as much as she could, reaching out to many organizations to help in any way she could.

Following her mother’s passing, she started another career that was close to her heart — being the director of the Ray County Senior Center. She spent more than 10 years serving Ray County’s senior citizens in many ways. She was a Ray County senior citizen advocate for the Mid-America Regional Council.

Pat was more than a loving mom and grandma; she was family to everyone she met. Her warmth, generosity and selfless heart extended well beyond her blood relatives, touching countless lives throughout her community.

For more than 20 years, Pat was a devoted member of the Orrick Lions Club, where she gave tirelessly of her time and energy. She had a deep passion for serving others, especially seniors and those facing food insecurity. As director of the Ray County Senior Center, she became a fierce advocate for vulnerable populations, organizing Meals on Wheels, packing boxes with food from Harvesters and ensuring no one went without a warm meal or a friendly smile.

Pat’s love of food was matched only by her love of people. Whether she was feeding the football team on Friday nights with the Lions Club, manning the fireworks stand every Fourth of July or catering community events with care and joy, she believed in serving with a big heart and a full stomach.

She was the go-to organizer for the Orrick FFA banquet and the town’s unofficial cake artist, crafting stunning wedding cakes, graduation cakes and birthday treats for anyone in need. Her baking wasn’t just a skill; it was a labor of love.

Pat also shared her talents with future generations, teaching cake decorating to countless 4-H boys and girls over the years. Many of her students went on to compete — and win — at the Missouri State Fair, a testament to her dedication as both a mentor and a cheerleader for young people.

Pat Mills will be remembered not only for what she did, but for how she made people feel — seen, supported and part of something greater than themselves. Her legacy of love and service lives on in the hearts of those she helped, fed, taught and inspired.

Pat was preceded in death by her parents, Delmer and Goldie (nee Freiben) Ohrenberg; and siblings; Tammy, Sheila, Stephen, Debbie and Lowell.

She is survived by her husband of 52 years, Roger Mills; son, Travis (Jennifer) Mills; and daughter,Angela (Michael) Morton. She also is survived by her grandchildren, Paiton (Andrew) Brackett, Patrick (McKenzie) Jones, Madeline (Matthew) Hart and Nolan Mills; and great-grandchildren, Kysonn Jones, Thea Jones, Beau Brackett and Ada Jones. Other survivors include numerous extended family members and good friends.

Arrangements are entrusted to Hidden Valley Funeral Home of Richmond, www.hiddenvalleyfunerals.com.