Patricia Grimes (Pat)
Patricia Grimes (Pat), 92, passed away Saturday, April 29, 2023, at Smith County Memorial Hospital, Smith Center, KS.
Pat was born October 31st, 1930, in Kansas City, Missouri to Lucy (Mitchell) Todd and Charles E. Todd. Her family lived in a two-story duplex on Spruce Street. She was born at home. She had a four-year-old sister, Peggy Jane, anxiously waiting her arrival.
She began kindergarten at the age of four at the Ashland school. With not having 8th grade, she graduated from high school at the age of 16. She graduated in 1947 and was voted, “The Most Bashful” by her classmates.
Her mom was a homemaker and her dad was a streetcar driver and later a city bus driver on the streets of Kansas City. She remembers getting a dime each week and either going to the movies or enjoying a chocolate malt.
She enrolled in Baker University and earned a bachelor of arts degree in children’s literature. After graduating, she taught for six years in the Kansas City area teaching elementary kids.
She spent a year in Germany during this time through the Army’s special services. She and other gals her age would plan and participate in activities for the soldiers stationed there. This trip gave her a wealth of information and experiences that she would treasure throughout her life!
In 1957, she met a senior year dental student on the park bench near the apartment building on the Plaza where they both lived with friends. They were married October 21st, 1958 in Lawton, Oklahoma.
Looking for a dental practice brought them to Smith Center, their home together for almost 65 years. Bill practiced dentistry for over 50 years, with Pat serving as the secretary many of those years.
Pat was a 53-year member of the PEO sisterhood and also enjoyed playing bridge through the years with couples and was also a member of the Entre Nous Club. These ladies began the Old Settler’s Day’s event known as, “The Prairie Dog Saloon.” It provided entertainment for the community that day with singing and skits while raising money for worthwhile causes.
She and “Papa Bill” were big supporters of all their kids and later grandkids’ activities. From sports events to dance recitals, they were there!
Pat was proceeded in death by her parents Charlie and Lucy Todd, her sister Peggy Short, husband Bill Grimes and grandson Chet William Kuhlmann.
Those left to remember and cherish all their many memories are her children Gary Grimes, Smith Center, Annalee Ratliff (Alvie), Athol and Meribeth Lambert (Clark) of Smith Center.
Four grandchildren: Zach Lambert of Olathe, Kansas, Sammy Gleason, (Tanner) of Riley, Kansas, Ethan Kuhlmann, (Jill) of Osborne, Kansas and Grant Lambert of Nashville, Tennessee.
Seven great-granddaughters have all enjoyed time with “Granny Pat.” They are Cruz Lambert, Tessa, Layla, Luxa and Livi Gleason, and Baylin and Emmie Kuhlmann.
A Celebration of Pat’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, May 6, 2023, at Smith Center United Methodist Church, 301 E. Kansas Ave., Smith Center, KS. There will not be a public visitation as cremation was chosen. Inurnment will take place in Fairview Cemetery, Smith Center, KS.
Memorials may be given to Hospice Services of Smith County and/or St. Jude’s Children's Hospital and can be sent in care of All Faiths Funeral Chapel, 113 S. Madison St., Smith Center, KS. 66967.