Patsy A. Ely

Patsy A. Ely, 83, of Lawrence, KS passed away at Bridge Haven Village on Wednesday, December 28, 2016.

Patsy was born June 9, 1933 in Tahlequah, OK, daughter of Burgess and Hazel (Rainwater) Witt. She graduated from Tahlequah High School in 1951, was involved in many organizations in high school and was the Dairy Queen. Patsy then graduated from Northeastern State College in Tahlequah and attended Emporia Teachers College.

Patsy was a grade school teacher first in Derby, KS and then in Hutchinson, KS. She taught until the early 1960’s and continued to be a substitute teacher. In the late 1980’s and into the 1990’s she ministered to older adults at Trinity United Methodist Church.

Patsy married the love of her life, Duane Ely on August 13, 1960 in Derby, KS. She is survived by her sons Keith (daughter-in-law Karen, grandsons John and Andrew) of Lawrence, KS and Kent (daughter-in-law Elizabeth) of Lawrence, KS, younger sister Mary Dondlinger (Bill) of Hutchinson, KS and younger brother James Witt (Jetta) of Pensacola, FL, and five nieces and nephews.

Patsy was active in many organizations including Trinity United Methodist Church of Hutchinson and the Doers Sunday school class of the church, P.E.O., U.S.D. 313, and Hutchinson Hospital. She could often be found volunteering and helping others

Patsy was passionate about her faith, gardening, Christmas homemaking, and most importantly, family. She loved to tell (and her family loved to hear) her stories of the Rainwater reunions, her cousins, her Grandma and Grandpa Witt and many other exciting stories of her life. She looked forward to her visits to Lawrence to see “the boys” and her grandsons. Patsy and Duane could be found most every Friday evening at Anchor Inn with their life-long friends.

Services will be held in Hutchinson on Friday January 6, 2017 at 2 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church, 1602 N. Main with a reception following at Prairie Dunes Country Club until 5 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Trinity United Methodist Church, Hutchinson; P.E.O. Program for Continuing Education; or the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. Memorial gifts may be made in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.