in memoriam
expanded eulogies
Lois Patton
Lois Margaret (Keazer) Patton died peacefully Dec. 31 at Brandon Woods in Lawrence at the age of 98.
She was born Aug. 6, 1921, on a farm near Marion. Her family moved into the town of Marion when she was a child and she graduated from Marion High School in 1939.
During WWII, she served as a volunteer in the American Red Cross Canteen Cops, and, once married in 1944, she and husband Byron Patton lived in Louisiana, where he was stationed in the Army Air Corps.
After the war, they lived in Manhattan, and then returned to central Kansas, living on farms near Chase and Geneseo, and in the towns of Lyons and Marion where their children, Steve and Carol were born.
In 1971, Lois and Byron moved to Topeka where Lois worked with the Kansas Department of Animal Health until she retired in 1986.
She was an active member of Countryside United Methodist Church and was an election volunteer.
In 1994, Lois and Byron celebrated their 50th anniversary. Lois was known as a wonderful cook, a hard worker, and a kind, loving and steadfast supporter of family and friends.
Lois wrote a story for her great-granddaughters called “My Home Town” about Marion. In it, she wrote of going ice-skating on the creek with her brothers, going to school, church, the library, and getting penny candy at the candy store. She wrote, “There are many nice towns and cities in the United States where people live, but I like my home town of Marion, Kansas.”
Lois was preceded in death by husband Byron, son Steve, grandson Scott Williamson, her parents, and nine brothers and sisters.
She is survived by daughter Carol and husband Brad Williamson of Lawrence; granddaughter Erica and husband Larry Reynolds of Leawood; granddaughter-in-law Shannon Williamson of Trumansburg, New York; great-granddaughters Emma, Claire, and Cady; and many nieces and nephews.
A funeral ceremony was Friday at Countryside United Methodist Church in Topeka. Burial was Saturday at Lyons Municipal Cemetery in Lyons.
Memorial contributions can be sent to the Patton Educational Endowment in care of Countryside United Methodist Church, Topeka, KS.
Penwell-Gabel in Topeka is assisting the family with arrangements. Messages for the family can be left at www.PenwellGabelTopeka.com.