Patricia Anne "Patsy" Shields

Patricia Anne Shields “Patsy”, age 94 of Wellsville, KS passed away on July 7, 2024, in Wellsville Health and Rehab. Graveside services will be held at 10AM, Saturday, July 27, 2024 at the Wellsville Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Wellsville City Library in care of Wilson’s, P.O. Box 486, Wellsville, KS 66092.

Patsy was born on March 17, 1930, in Miami, OK.  She was the daughter of Elma Eaton Turner and Thelma Lucille (Bruer) Turner.  Her early years were spent in Miami where her father worked as a carpenter.  Later when he began working on construction of the Sunflower Plant in Lawrence, KS, the family relocated to Wellsville.

After graduating from Wellsville High School in 1948, Patsy attended Emporia State University Teachers College in Emporia, KS where she received her teaching accreditation. She taught in Richmond, KS until fate stepped in and she met the love of her life, Bill Shields. They were married on June 1,1950. At the time of Bill’s death, they had been married 71 years. After her first son Allen was born, she became a full-time homemaker and continued to do so until Lyle and Lynda, the twins, were older.  She often told the story that she went to the hospital to deliver her second child and  came home with two. What a surprise!  She was not a big fan of laundry but enjoyed cooking and was an exceptional housekeeper. Life was full in those early years. There weren’t a lot of fancy things but there was always homemade fun and no shortage of family outings and gatherings. 

In the mid-sixties Bill was transferred to the Naval Air Station in Weymouth, MA. During that time Patsy worked at St. Coletta’s School for Exceptional Children in Hanover, MA. Upon returning to Wellsville several years later, she worked at the Lakemary Center in Paola, KS, which also provided services to those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She was truly gifted when it came to working with special needs children and applied that same kindness and compassion to other parts of her life. 

In her spare time Patsy loved to hunt wildflowers with her sister Bettye and was happiest when she was barefoot, tending to the flower gardens around her home. She didn’t have any fancy garden tools, just a long handled butcher knife and an old rusty hoe. Until her mid 80’s she spent a great deal of time canning Bill’s abundant garden produce.  She loved garage sales and antiques and was always in pursuit of the next good find.  She especially liked to read and was an avid supporter of the Wellsville City Library. In later years, when her vision failed, she discovered Cowboy TV and was especially fond of old John Wayne movies. 

Patsy lived a long and joyful life. Despite the death of her two sons much too early in their lives, she persevered. Her wide circle of friends and family learned so much from her and will miss her dearly.

Patsy is survived by her daughter, Lynda Keesling and husband Jim of Hot Springs Village, AR; her daughter-in-law Vada Shields of Henryville, IN; her sister, Bettye Coughenour of Wellsville, KS; her granddaughter, Melinda Sudweeks and husband Tim of Brooklyn, NY; her grandson Mathew Shields and wife Angela of Henryville, IN; her granddaughter Erika Given and husband Shawn of Shawnee, KS; her grandson William Shields of Gladstone, OR; nine great-grandchildren and two great great-grandchildren.

Patsy was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Bill, her sons Lyle and Allen, and her daughter-in-law Cheryl.

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