Patricia (Smith) Zeller, 95, beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt, and friend passed away peacefully surrounded by her children on April 25th, 2024. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, April 30th at 10:30 a.m. preceded by Visitation at 9:15 a.m. at Holy Trinity Catholic Church 13615 W. 92nd St. Lenexa, KS. Private burial will be at a later time.
Patricia was born in 1928 in Topeka, KS, to Harry James Smith and Mary Edith (Murray) Smith. Most of her childhood was in KCK. She attended Blessed Sacrament Elementary School and was a graduate of Bishop Ward High School in KCK. She was the proud editor of the school’s newspaper, “The Outburst.” She continued her education at St. Mary’s College in Leavenworth, KS, then completed the RN diploma program at Providence Hospital. She was loyal to Providence and worked there her entire career, eventually retiring as a nursing night supervisor.
She met her future husband and the love of her life, Merle Zeller, when he was a patient at Providence. They married in 1950 and began their family, raising six children as members of Christ the King Parish in KCK. After the death of her brother, Don Smith, and his wife, Jeanette ok, Pat and Merle then took in their five children.
Remembering Mom: She made every event fun. She was endlessly pleasant and truly loved by everyone she encountered. She left us with a lasting legacy of devotion to faith, family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Don, and her beloved husband of more than 50 years, Merle. She is survived by her six children, Jim Zeller (Mary), Kathie Cook (Mark), Susie Wolf (Jim), Nancy Sebree (Lynne), Betsy Argotsinger (Jeff), and Terri Byrd (Sylvester) as well as 18 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren. Also survived by her brother, Jim Smith, and many nieces and nephews.
The world is a little less bright, but heaven just got a lot more fun!
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Catholic Charities. The family would also like to extend their gratitude to the amazing staff at Aberdeen Village who provided the most wonderful care for Pat over the last ten years.