Patty McLinden

Mass for Patricia “Patty” Ray (Longhofer) McLinden, 81, who died July 3, was Tuesday at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Florence.

She was born April 28,1943, in Wichita to Raymond and Patricia Longhofer.

She attended Marion schools and graduated in 1961 from Marion High School. She then attended Kansas State Teachers College, Emporia, for two years.

On Aug. 24, 1963, she married Richard “Dick” McLinden of rural Florence. She helped on the ranch until 1970, when she began work in Chase County at the sheriff’s office and later county attorney’s office.

In 1978, she and Dick moved to Tipton, Missouri, where she operated a Sears catalog store and later worked in the Missouri in Manpower Department.

In 1987, they returned to Marion County, where she worked as a secretary at Marion Elementary School. She later worked in the dean’s office of the College of Health Professions at Wichita State University — a job she held until she retired.

She was preceded in death by her parents and husband.

Survivors include son Chuck of rural Florence, daughter Susie of Olathe, four grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.

Memorials have been established with Father Kapaun Legacy Fund, Good Shepherd Hospice, and Marion City Library.