Kay Vivian Rich

Nobody else held me so tight

Or made me feel so right

No one's eyes shined so bright with love

As my mom, who is now high above.

- Tamsen Butler

Our beloved mother and grandmother, Kay Vivian Rich, died on May 21st, 2024,

peacefully in her home with her loved ones, her favorite plants, and her cat, Misty, by her

side.

Kay was born in Rockford, IL October 6th, 1965, and later in her childhood moved to

Colorado Springs, CO where she grew up and went on to attend and graduate from

technical school with a certificate and licensure in Cosmetology. Kay later moved to

Leavenworth, KS where she was a stay-at-home mom married to her late husband,

Wayne M. Rich Jr, who preceded her in death May 28th, 2006. Kay and Wayne divorced

in 1993 and are survived by 2 children: Katherine Rich (35) and Wayne Rich (32) and one

granddaughter, Victoria Rich (18.)

Kay met and lived the rest of her days with her significant other, Gary Patterson, and is

survived by Gary and their expecting daughter: Krystal Patterson (27)- grandchild due

(November 2024.) Kay is also survived by her stepdaughter and grandchildren, Gary’s

daughter, Missy Burke (41) and 2 grandchildren: Sienna and Leo.

Kay was preceded in death by her parents: Merrily A. Brown and Robert L. Barts and her

brother: Bob Barts. Kay is survived by her sister: Rene Marr-Packham and niece: Tina

RD and brother Bob’s children: Tabitha and Tony.

Kay was always the life of the party and loved socializing and doing public service work

such as working in housekeeping/laundry at a nursing home, retail work, and working in

food service at the Leavenworth VA. She had a big heart and cared deeply for others.

Kay also enjoyed art and painting with some of her work hung around her home. She had

a green thumb and enjoyed gardening and decorating her patio with an assortment of

windchimes, sun catchers, and garden knickknacks. She’s also well known for her love of

tie-dyed and crazy cat shirts. Kay beat Tetris more than anyone I’ve known and always

enjoyed a family game night with trivia and other board games.

At Kay’s request, there will be no services, but before she passed, she made it known

she wanted us all to share a laugh and raise a glass in celebration of her journey home.