Patricia Louene Smith, 96, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, at the home she shared with her daughter and son-in-law in Wichita, Kansas.
She was born on September 11, 1929, in Concordia, Kansas, the daughter of Sherman Milton and Mable Matilda Isacson Hyde. Pat was raised in Osborne, Kansas where she graduated from Osborne High School in 1947. She attended Fort Hays State College for 2 years and received a teaching certificate. She taught kindergarten in Atwood, Lincoln, and Salina, Kansas. She attended Wesleyan University part-time while teaching kindergarten at Glennifer Hill grade school in Salina, Ks. She graduated from Kansas Wesleyan with a Bachelor's Degree in May 1957. She later received her Master’s Degree from Kansas State University. Pat spent most of her teaching career at Franklin Elementary School, Salina, Kansas, where she retired.
Pat married Fredrick James Smith on July 6, 1957, in Osborne. They lived in Manhattan, Kansas while Fred attended Kansas State University and Pat taught 1st grade at Eugene Field Elementary school. They lived in Salina for 52 years before moving to Lawrence, Kansas in 2011. Pat continued to live in Lawrence until recently moving to Wichita.
Pat was an active member of her churches. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Salina, Kansas and upon moving to Lawrence she joined Trinity Lutheran Church, Lawrence, Ks.
While living in Salina, Fred and Pat enjoyed going to the Salina Cagerz basketball games. She was an avid bridge player, enjoyed reading, gardening and crocheting. She also liked to make greeting cards for family and friends. Pat was also a sports fan and enjoyed watching the KU Jayhawks, K-State Wildcats, Kansas City Chiefs and the Butler Grizzlies.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Fred who passed away on April 15, 2015, and by her brother Rexford D. Hyde. Survivors include son Creighton Smith and partner Linda Malcom of Spokane, Washington; her daughter Lynnea Kaufman and husband Wayne of the home in Wichita; brother Robert Hyde of Osborne; nieces and nephews Olin (Cindy) Hyde, Sherri (Greg) Mick, Mike (Pam) Hyde, Debbie (Robert) Serna, Linda (Bo) French and Jeff (Chris) Hyde.
Pat loved and treasured the time she spent with her grandchildren and supporting their activities, Allen Burkart and wife Chelsea and Thomas Kaufman; along with great granddaughter Halle Burkart.
Memorial services will be held at a later date in Lawrence.
Arrangements are by Affordable Cremations Plus, Wichita, Kansas.