Patsy Ruth Stehl

1934 - 2023

Patsy (Pat) Ruth Stehl

September 8, 1934 - December 3, 2023

Kansas City, Missouri - Patsy Ruth (Johnson) Stehl passed away peacefully at her home on Sunday, December 3rd at the age of 89. Pat was born in Joplin, Missouri on September 8, 1934, to Floyd and Ruth (DePriest) Johnson. She graduated from Joplin High School in 1953. She met the love of her life, Willard Eugene (Gene) Stehl of Lawton, Kansas, the summer after high school. She was attracted to his shiny, clean car, and he was attracted to her beautiful smile. They were married on New Year's Eve 1953 in the living room of her parents' home. In 1965, Gene's job in the trucking business transferred them from Joplin to Kansas City where they built a wonderful life and lived the rest of their days.

Pat worked as a switchboard operator for the telephone company and then for Montgomery Ward department store. She retired after 30 years from General Electric after it acquired Montgomery Ward. In addition to her career, she was a faithful Christian servant in the Disciples of Christ denomination who attended and served South Joplin Christian, Gracemor Christian and Park Hill Christian Churches. She was a leader of Christian Women's Fellowship groups, a Deacon, an Elder, and an officer. If the church doors were open, you could find her and Gene there serving in some way. She lived out her belief that all God's children are beloved. She never met a stranger, and she was an easy friend. Pat was a fastidious housekeeper who loved hosting family and friends in her home. She prided herself on hospitality and delighted in making meals for others to enjoy.

Her favorite role was mother and then grandmother. Pat and Gene's marriage produced four children, ten grandchildren, and eleven great grandchildren. Pat was graciously selfless, and she gladly went without so her children could have what they needed or wanted. She never said no when asked to watch her grandchildren even if it meant she might have five of them at once. She intentionally gave them all the time they wanted, knowing how short and precious those early years would be in her lifelong relationships with her grandchildren. She is survived by all of them who love and adore her to this day.

Pat is reunited with her beloved husband Gene after living without him and missing him daily for 14 years. She undoubtedly joined an amazing party in heaven already underway with Gene and her dear daughter-in-law, Cindy. She is survived by daughter Judy Krtek and husband Doug; son Doug Stehl; daughter Julie Kloeppel and husband Tom; daughter Jill Watson and husband Mike; grandchildren Drew Stehl (Emily), Ryne Kloeppel (Shea), Sarah Krtek Porter (Andy), Alex Stehl (Kelby), Austin Stehl (Kristen), Anna Kloeppel Anderson (Zach), Spencer Watson, Abby Kloeppel (TJ Johnson), Blake Watson, and Emily Watson; and great grandchildren: Sam Stehl, Charleigh and Rigby Kloeppel; John, Evie, and Luke Porter; Whittaker and Sutton Stehl; Hadley and Teddy Stehl; and Noah Anderson. Pat was preceded in death by her husband, Gene Stehl; parents, Floyd and Ruth Johnson; stepmother Marion Johnson; brother Bill Johnson; and daughter-in-law Cindy Stehl.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Park Hill Christian Church for the benefit of the Southern Platte County Emergency Assistance Center (SPEAC).