Petra R. "Pat" Avila

Petra R. "Pat" Avila, 88, died Wednesday, October 8, 2025, at Wesley Medical. Center in Wichita, Kansas. She was born October 24, 1936, in Garden City, Kansas, the daughter of Juan & Jessie (Lopez) Perez.
Pat grew up in Lakin, Kansas where she attended Lakin schools and was the first Hispanic female to graduate from Lakin High School. She then attended 1 year at Garden City Junior College. On December 18, 1956, she married Jesse R. Avila in Garden City. Pat began her working career as the tortilla maker at Carmelita's, but is most remembered as a receptionist for various businesses in Garden City including Dr. Artiles and Dr. Rodriguez, St. Catherine Hospital Radiology, St. Mary Catholic Church, and Plaza Medical Center. She also worked for several years as a crossing guard for USD #457.
Pat was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Garden City where she also loved to volunteer at the church and cleaning at the school. She was also a member of Buffalo Dunes Golf Course; Garden Bowl; the Lost Sheep Rosary; and a former member of the Latin American Club. Pat loved to spend her time golfing, bowling, doing yard work, and exercising. She was an avid KU fan and loved spending time with her family and attending her grandchildren's activities.
Survivors include 6 children Elizabeth "Liz" Torres of Garden City, Kansas, Jesse "Doug" Avila of Douglas, Arizona, Mark Avila of Lawrence, Kansas, Mona Kaps of Garden City, Kansas, Rosina Houle of Stillwater, Oklahoma, and Lynette Brungardt of Garden City, Kansas; four siblings Delilah Vincent of Lakin, Kansas, Ruby Escalada of Wichita, Kansas, Lupe Longoria of Lakin, Kansas, and Richard Perez of Kendall, Kansas; 19 Grandchildren; 33 Great-Grandchildren; and 4 Great Great Grandchildren. Pat is preceded in death by her husband Jesse who died on April 22, 2012. She is also preceded in death by her parents; 2 daughters Dorothy Salais and Jessie Esch; 3 brothers Valentine Perez, Tony Perez, & John Perez; 2 sisters Nellie Bribiesca and Teresa Perez; and 1 Great-Grandson.
A Vigil service & Rosary will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Garden City. Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, also at St. Mary Catholic Church with Fr. Jacob Schneider as Celebrant. The funeral Mass may also be viewed on Facebook Live on the Garnand Funeral Home Facebook page. Burial will follow at Valley View Cemetery in Garden City. Friends may call from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday at Garnand Funeral Home in Garden City. The family suggests memorials given to St. Mary School Endowment Fund in care of Garnand Funeral Home, 412 N. 7th St., Garden City, Kansas 67846. Condolences may be given at garnandfuneralhomes.com.