After a valiant battle against Alzheimer’s, Patricia Ann Buzzard, age 80, of Richmond, Kansas, passed away on Monday, February 25, 2019, at Richmond Healthcare and Rehab Center, Richmond, Kansas. Her final days were spent surrounded by her husband, children and grandchildren, who were her pride and joy.
Born March 17, 1938, in Gentryville, Missouri, Pat was her family’s lucky charm. She was the third of six children born to Leander and Gladys (Ray) Weese. She grew up in Gentry County, Missouri and graduated from Southwest High School in Bethany, Missouri, in 1956.
On March 26, 1960, Pat married Billy E. Buzzard, in New Hampton, Missouri. Their union was blessed with four wonderful children. They made their first home in Albion, Iowa, until moving to Bethany, Missouri in 1963. Over the next 13 years, Bill’s work took them to Stanley, Kansas, and then Lathrop and Albany, Missouri. Ever a loyal and faithful wife, Pat followed Bill around the country as his cowboy profession took them from ranch to ranch. In 1975, they moved to the Garnett area when Bill began working at the Graham Farms. In 1978, they moved to their current home near Richmond, Kansas. During her more than four decades as an Anderson County resident, Pat worked, and was valued, by many businesses including Sohigro, Pence IGA, Garnett Food Mart and served as the manager of Willow Apartments. Additionally, Pat worked for 23 years as an admissions clerk at the Osawatomie State Hospital and also worked with farmers and ranchers as an Enumerator for the Kansas Agriculture Department for many years. In her retirement, she volunteered at the ARC Thrift Store in Garnett. A breast cancer survivor, she instilled a “never give up” attitude in her entire family and served as inspiration for the entire community.
Pat was a loving caregiver – she would help anyone, at any time. She was well-known for her cooking and baking, and prepared large, delicious meals at the drop of a hat. Family gatherings always featured chicken n’ noodles or fried chicken, which most would say was world-class. All who knew her would agree she was generous, compassionate, hard-working, fun-loving and selfless; always putting others before herself.
When she wasn’t busy doting on her husband, children, grandchildren, siblings, nieces and nephews, Pat loved a good rummage sale or thrift store. Her family recalls with much laughter her ability to get the very best, rock bottom price for a box of goodies, even if it meant some slight finagling with the auctioneer to do so. Pat also loved gardening, fishing, being outdoors, refinishing furniture and sewing.
She was preceded in death by her parents; son, Daniel Reuben Buzzard on September 2, 1976; two brothers, Billy and Wendall Weese; nieces, Brenda and Susie Weese, and nephew, Tim Weese.
Pat is survived by her husband, Billy E. Buzzard, of the home; one son, Ted Buzzard of Greeley, Kansas; two daughters, Jody Harmon and husband, Chuck of Garnett, Kansas, and Daisy Patterson and husband Jere, of Garnett, Kansas; 6 grandchildren, Brandi Buzzard Frobose and husband, Hyatt, Brice Buzzard, Charley and wife, Alethea Harmon, Reuben Harmon and Christen Greving, Corey Patterson and Mackenzie Nickell and Courtney Tucker and husband, Aaron; 3 great grandchildren, Ryden and Rilya Tucker and Oakley Frobose; two sisters, Shirley Nichel of Kansas City, Missouri, and Linda Miller and husband, Dink, of Stewartsville, Missouri; one brother, Jackie Weese and wife, Judy of LeGrand, Iowa; and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM, Friday, March 1, 2019, at the First Christian Church, Garnett. Graveside services will follow at 3:00 PM, Friday, in the Foster Cemetery, New Hampton, Missouri. The family will greet friends from 6:00 to 8:00 PM, Thursday evening at the First Christian Church, 200 S. Walnut, Garnett, Kansas. Memorial contributions may be made to W.I.N.G.S. and left in care of the funeral home. You may send your condolences to the family at www.feuerbornfuneral.com