Patsy Joan Tharp

Patsy Joan Tharp, 91, of Wichita, KS, left this world the evening of January 27, 2025. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, February 5, 2025 from 11 A.M. to 1 P.M. at McLaren's Resthaven Chapel in West Des Moines, Iowa. Her funeral ceremony will be held on the same day at 1 P.M. with a burial to follow immediately afterwards at Resthaven Cemetery.

Patsy was born September 7, 1933, in Carbondale, IL, the first daughter of John Phillips and Helena Norton Phillips.

She graduated from Manual Tech School in 1951.

Patsy married George Lee Tharp on June 28th, 1952 in Peoria, IL, with their wonderful pastor, Rev. Helen Baras officiating. They were married 68 years. In those years, they attended Apostolic Bible Institute in St. Paul, MN, pastored a fledgling church in Muscatine, IA, pastored Midway Tabernacle for 42 years in Davenport, IA, and served the IA District United Pentecostal Church for 29 years as IA District Secretary. They retired in 1998 and moved to Pinckneyville, IL, then to Des Moines, IA to attend Life Church of Des Moines where they were both host and hostess for many years. After moving to Wichita, KS, Patsy has continued to serve at First Pentecostal Church with her encouragement and love for the Word of God.

Patsy has been an incredible seamstress (that’s an understatement) and an author of two books of devotion. Less than a month ago, she finished a book of her exhaustive research of the Manners and Customs of the Bible.

She’s been the best Christian, the best mother, wife, sister, grandmother, pastor’s wife, and friend.

Her finest attribute: She loved God!

Remaining to cherish her are her children, Kathy (Dean) Safris, Nancy (Duane) Bolinger, Vixie Spencer, grandchildren: Shauna (Matt) Froese, Janelle (Andrew) Romine, Tara (Paul) Price, Arellia (Danny) Williams, Jaala Freeman, William (Trina) Spencer, Michael Safris, Matt (Nikki) Logston, Brian (Claudia) Safris, and the great-grands: Emily Safris, Mallory Safris, Madeline Froese, Eva Price, Mia Froese, Rutledge Price, Piper Williams, Brian Safris Jr, Keen Spencer, Indy Price, Lincoln Williams, Grant Froese, Luca Romine, Lex Spencer, Bligh Spencer, Sareena Freeman, and little Kira Spencer, a brother, Jerry (Mindy) Strickland, in-laws: James Tharp and Rachel Graham and many nieces and nephews.

Preceding Patsy in death is her precious husband, George Lee Tharp, her parents, John and Helen Phillips and Helena and Marquis Strickland, and her sister, Joyce (Samuel) Latta.

Online condolences may be shared at www.mclarenresthavenchapel.com.