Patsy Bunch

Patsy Bunch, 92, of Lake St. Louis, Missouri passed away Saturday, August 3, 2024, at Abbey Senior Health in O'Fallon, Missouri. Patsy grew up in Glasgow, Kentucky and was the oldest of five children. She was born April 26, 1932, and was the daughter of the late Wallace Ritter and Elizabeth Matthews Ritter. She was preceded in death by her husband, Roy Bunch; her son, Jeff Bunch; and sisters, Peggy Reece and Carol Bailey.
She had a love of horses, which she received from her father at an early age. She began showing horses at age five. As her riding career took off, friends said she was basically raised in the saddle and that she rode before she walked. Patsy earned the reputation as one of Kentucky's most talented equestrians. In her last two years of competing, before attending college, Patsy and her horse Double Trouble brought many horse show crowds to their feet. The duo participated in 55 events over those two years, where they earned thirty-four 1st place finishes and nine 2nd place finishes.
Patsy attended Hiseville High School and graduated in 1949. She was an excellent student and excelled in softball, track and basketball. She enrolled at Western Kentucky University after high school and graduated from WKU in 1953 with a teaching degree. She married her high school sweetheart, Roy in 1957. Patsy and Roy eventually settled in Wisconsin where they raised a family and lived there for 35 years.
Patsy taught for 30 years, mostly teaching 1st and 2nd grade in the Mukwonago School District where she also earned the prestigious teacher of the year award. She was an active member in the Vernon Presbyterian Church. Patsy continued her love of sports in Wisconsin and picked up golf, which she played until the age of 80. She was a passionate fan of Kentucky basketball and of course, the Green Bay Packers. Patsy moved back to Kentucky in 1994 where she was an active member of Bowling Green Cumberland Presbyterian Church. She and Roy made many new friends and enjoyed spending time with them and their Kentucky family.
Patsy spent her last six years in the St. Louis area to be closer to her son, Mike and her daughter in law, Patti, and their family. She was able to attend her grandson, Conner's (Carly) wedding and grandson, Parker's college graduation. She was a great Memaw for those two and her granddaughter, Payton who lives in Oregon and visited last Thanksgiving. Patsy was also able to experience the life of a great grandmother to Cassidy and Caden. Nothing gave her more joy than spending time with those two and developed quite a relationship with Cassidy who is 27 months old.
Patsy was known for being so sweet and caring to whomever she met. She left quite an impression with the employees at Abbey Senior Health where she spent her last seven months. In her final days, she competed one last time in the Abbey Olympics, to no one's surprise, she earned the gold medal.
Patsy is survived by a son, Michael Bunch (Patti) of Lake St. Louis, Missouri; four grandchildren, Conner Bunch (Carly Tasche) of O'Fallon, Missouri, Parker Bunch of Wright City, Missouri, Payton Bunch and Wyatt Burkhardt, both of Hood River, Oregon; two great grandchildren, Cassidy and Caden Bunch, both of O'Fallon, Missouri; a daughter-in-law, Patricia Martin Bunch of Hood River, Oregon; one sister, Shirley Blanck of Clarksville, Tennessee; one brother, Max Ritter (Deb Cobb) of Brentwood, Tennessee; one sister-in-law, Gayle Bunch Berry of Glasgow, Kentucky; one brother-in-law, Marshall Bailey of Glasgow, Kentucky; and many loving nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Parkinsons Disease Foundation or the Neals Chapel Cemetery. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
The funeral service for Mrs. Bunch will be held 11:00 AM Saturday, August 24th at A. F. Crow & Son Funeral Home in Glasgow, Kentucky with burial in Neals Chapel Cemetery. Visitation will be on Saturday from 9:00 AM until time for the service at the funeral home.