Patricia Ann Gessner

Patty was born February 27, 1946, in Wamego, Kansas, the daughter of August & Vivian (Lytle) Dinger. She graduated from Wamego High School in 1964. On September 26, 1964, she was united in marriage to John Henry Gessner. Together they had 3 children: Shawn, Stefanie and Shane.

Patty was a hard worker with a great work ethic. She was employed most of her life in the greenhouse/nursery business. She started while in high school in Wamego and later at Alex R Masson’s in Kansas City/Linwood where she retired after many years.

Patty always loved spending time with her family during the holidays, especially at Christmas. She enjoyed watching all the kids open presents, playing with them and snuggling the littlest ones of the bunch. She enjoyed camping trips with her family throughout the years. Camping mostly at Perry Lake & Tuttle Creek in Kansas. She loved taking long road trips to North Dakota to visit her Gessner family and shorter road trips to Wamego/Manhattan to visit her Dinger family.

She was a devoted mom to her children. She always tried to attend any activity they were involved in, but her favorite was watching her sons play baseball. Later in life, she found joy again when she got to watch her grandchildren play T-Ball, Baseball or Dance. She enjoyed listening to Country Music and even dancing around the house when her knees permitted. She treasured playing games and putting puzzles together with her grandkids. She liked to do word searches without marking the word so she could do it again. Patty was an avid reader of romance novels, often reading 2-3 at a time. There would be stacks of books by her bed or chair. She was always the person with the camera in her purse/hands capturing memories of family events or any random occasion, even pictures of poinsettia’s she planted at work. Always behind the camera, rarely in front of it.

She loved her pets (both dogs and cats) over the years and could be easily swayed into taking in a stray cat or even bringing a pregnant one home from work and keeping it as her own. There was never a time when Patty did not have a pet or two or three.

Patty was a devoted Kansas City Royals fan and enjoyed watching the games on TV with her sons and grandson. When the Royals were not on her TV, then you can bet she was watching the Hallmark Channel. She tended to watch the same shows repeatedly then wondered why there weren’t any new shows on.

Patricia will be remembered by her two children: Daughter: Stefanie Gessner (Scott) of Trimble, Mo; Son: Shane (Cami) Gessner of KCK. Grandson: Chris Gessner & Great Grandson Cannon of Josephine, Tx; Granddaughter: Kati (Justin) Bond & Great Grandson Josh of KCK; Granddaughter: Kiley (Tyler) Minder & Great Grandson Silas & Great Granddaughter Palmer of Smithville, Mo; Granddaughter: Taylar Gessner (Austin), Great Grandson Jaxson & Great Granddaughters Jazlynn, Adeline & Ava of KCMO; Granddaughter: Halie Roberts; Grandson: Aiden Roberts; Granddaughter: Braylie Gessner all of KCK; Sister: Marlene Budden; Sisters in Law: Velma Dinger; Judy Dinger; Charlotte (Jim) Hatlestad; Charlene (Allen) Gault; Judy Gessner; Brother in Law: Jerry Vanderlin; Her sweet One-Eyed Kitty – Honey; Special Nieces and Nephews; many other family members, friends and honorary ‘family’ she treasured.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of nearly 50 years, Henry; her son Shawn; Brothers: Lyle, Kenny, Ed & Walt Dinger; Sisters: LaRita Currie, June Blenn & Clarise Dinger; Sisters in Law: Judy Dinger; MaryLou Vanderlin & Margo VanLeur; Brothers in law: JC Currie; Dale Budden; Bernie Gessner, Richard VanLeur.

If you share her devotion to the KC Royals, the color Red (her favorite color) or Hallmark Movies, please wear any of these to her Celebration of Life in honor of her. However, Patricia would welcome everyone regardless of what they wear.

A Celebration of Life will be held Wednesday, July 29, 2026, from 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm at Mary Ann Flunder Lodge by the Lake at Kansas City Kansas Community College, 7250 State Ave , Kansas City, Ks 66112.7250

**Note: State Ave College entrance-first building on the left by the pond/bridge.

A Private Family Burial-Witnessing will be held prior to the Celebration of Life at the Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens where she will be laid to rest with her Husband. 701 N 94th St., Kansas City, Ks 66112

In Lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Patricia’s memory by mail or online to:

Children’s Mercy Kansas City

Department of Philanthropy

2401 Gillham Rd

Kansas City, Mo 64108

https://give.childrensmercykids.org/

Ronald McDonald House Kansas City

Attn: Donation

2502 Cherry St

Kansas City, Mo 64108

https://ronaldmcdonaldhousekc.org/donate