Patricia Ann Pool

Wayzata resident and scooter pilot Patricia Ann “I can’t talk” VandenBerg Pool, 80, died April 22, 2021 at Lake Minnetonka Shores.
An informal service was held at The Shores attended by family, residence, and staff.
Born August 19,1940 in Bellflower, California to Mike VandenBerg and Wilma Roskamp. A WWII baby and an only child, she traveled with her parents when they moved from Long Beach, California to Kansas City, Missouri to support the war effort. Ultimately landing in Edgerton, Minnesota.  

Pat attended Southwest Christian High School, studied cosmetology in Sioux Falls, owned her own hair salon, cheered Edgerton Public High at the MN State Basketball Championship, and married Lloyd Pool in May 1960.

She has four children; Bret, Ryan, Tiffiny, and Thad. Six grandchildren; Logan, Micah, Lauren, Rylee, Baylee, Sydney. And four great-grandchildren, more are expected.

In-laws and out-laws, uncles, aunties, cousins, and many other beautiful people along the way.

At the young age of 49 she suffered a debilitating stroke. Her family gathered to honor her Do Not Resuscitate wish. The plug was pulled. She refused to honor her end of the deal…so began the remarkable 2nd life of Pat Pool.

“She will never get out of the coma,” they said. “She will never get out of the bed. She won’t walk, she won’t talk, read, or write.”

Two years later she was driving around the lakes in her car, living independently in her apartment, cooking meals for her grandkids, and balancing her checkbook. Her struggles were big, her tenacity was bigger. People were her life, and aphasia made communicating with others her greatest challenge. Yet at moments of great frustration, she would enunciate a perfectly clear, “I can’t talk!”

She watched as her four children grew older and prospered.

She helped raise her grandchildren, taught them that all farm animals moooo’d (it was the severe aphasia), went to their school activities, said good bye as they went to college.

As she grew older, she slowed, but never, never stopped. She moved to Assisted Living, she drove her electric scooter into the ground. And then another scooter. And then another as she wore out the tires and batteries traveling around the lake she loved. Her high-speed escapes from Assisted Living are legendary.

Friends and family got an extra 11,680 days. Her impact on everyone she met was unforgettable! Spirit bold and smile contagious! And her daughter Tiffiny got an older child named Pat.

“I LOVE YOU,” Pat RIP. Bon voyage.

Don’t cry because it’s over; smile because it happened. – Dr. Seuss

She’s an angel that walks on earth so I know she will fit right in.- Micah

Memorials preferred to:

Lake Minnetonka Shores/ Life Enrichment Department

Attn: Donna Olsen

4515 Shoreline Dr., Spring Park, Mn 55384

To help fund Pat’s favorite activities, fire pit fun, live patio music, and the other day to day fun the activity department provided. Thank you all!

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Patricia Ann Pool, please visit our floral store.