Patricia Ann Prinzevalle

PATRICIA ANN PRINZEVALLE of Saint Paul, Minnesota, passed away August 6, 2026, at home from natural causes. She was a beloved daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, niece, cousin, partner, and friend.

Pat touched countless lives with her energy, humor, creativity, mischievous wit, giant smiles, tight hugs, and boundless will and strength, driven by a love for family. The room would change when she walked in; warm, playful, and attentive, she was the life of any party. Born March 9, 1950, to John Victor and Anna Marie Prinzevalle in Rockford, Illinois, Pat grew up as part of a large extended Italian family. She graduated from Bishop Muldoon High School before attending Patricia Stevens Modeling School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and later earned her BA in Social Change and Development from UW-Green Bay.

For decades, Pat brought unyielding dedication to social justice into her professional life through leadership, fundraising, and development in domestic violence services. She created and spearheaded Minnesota's first-ever "One Call to Safety" system, connecting 28 emergency women's shelters for battered women and children seeking emergency shelter. She developed Minnesota's first-ever and only Domestic Crisis Hot Line, as well as the state's first-ever system for transportation for homeless families seeking safe emergency shelter. She did so alongside committed teams, donors, and leaders. Before that, she raised the money to build Alexandra House's second facility, housing up to 35 women and their children. All programs exist today.

Pat's advocacy began early, the hearing daughter of two deaf parents, instilling in her a belief that everyone deserves safety and the right to achieve their self-designed goals.

Pat gave generously to community, notably her recovery community, and discovered a passion for hand-building pottery — making the most beautiful, highly regarded work, primarily bowls, many adorning her friends' and family's homes.

Pat had a committed partnership with Kris Gunderson, and later with Jeanne Burnett. Early in life, she was married to Warren Berkholtz, with whom she had two children.

She was predeceased by her parents, Anna and Vic. She is survived by her son, Paul Berkholtz and daughter-in-law, Janna Berkholtz; grandchildren Owen and Allison Berkholtz; daughter Amy Berkholtz; sister Joanne Prinzevalle and partner Bogdan Mendaluk; and beloved cousins.

Loving and a force of nature, she will be deeply missed and forever cherished.

A Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, August 30, from 1:00–4:00 PM CT at Willwerscheid Funeral Home, 235 Wentworth Ave W West Saint Paul, MN 55118 Visitation begins at 1:00 PM, followed by a tribute starting at 2:00 PM.

 In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Alexandra House in her memory.