BROWNSVILLE, TEXAS — Patricia “Pat” Lois Bell, 80, passed away on Oct. 26, 2022, in Conroe, Texas. Born on June 5, 1942, in Borger, Texas, to Herman Delbert and Lois (King) Crockett. They moved back to Morton, Texas, where her father became the Cochran County Sheriff. This is where Pat attended school until the 7th grade. In 1954 Herman took a job in the oil field and moved the family to Ellinwood, Kan.  

On Dec. 23, 1958, she married Larry Ravenstien, she joined him in Fort Campbell, Kent., where he was stationed in the Army. Upon Larry’s Army discharge in 1966, they moved to Derby, Kan., with their two sons. Later moving back to Ellinwood, where Pat worked for Farmer’s Mutual Insurance. On Oct. 23, 1978, Larry and her divorced. Pat then moved to Great Bend where she worked for the Barton County Sheriff Department and the Great Bend Petroleum Club. While working at the Petroleum Club, she meet Keith Bell, an avid golfer. 

Many may remember her singing the jingle “He’s a Write in Vote” campaigning for Gene Marks as a write-in vote, running for sheriff of Barton County, and he won. She then married Keith Bell on March 14, 1980, in Cimarron, Kan. Upon her and Keith’s retirement they became “Winter Texans” at River Bend Resort in Brownsville, Texas, later making that their permanent home for 23 years.

Mrs. Bell enjoyed playing mahjong, dominos, cards and was active in Ladies Golf League. She was very involved in community events at River Bend. One important event her friends from River Bend stated was at their annual Veterans Day celebration she lead the opening prayer. She had a very loving and spiritual caring heart, spreading that to her many family and friends along her life’s journey.

Survivors include her sons, Kelly Ravenstien of Ark City, Kan. and Scott (Gabe) Ravenstien of Great Bend, Kan.; two step-daughters, Rhonda (Gary) Dobbs of Spring, Texas and Marisa (Doug) Deason of Tulsa, Okla.; one step-son, KB (Tammy) Bell of Great Bend, Kan.; 10 grandchildren, Justin Ward, Misty (Stephen) Ambrose, Michael (Rosa) Ravenstien, Zach Dittrick, Casey Dittrick and fiancé Brian Lundquist, Ryan (Nicole) Dobbs, Collin (Madison) Dobbs, Chelsea (Terry) Tansill, Suzanne (Mario) Montes and Alisha (Ryan) Markley; 16 great-grandchildren; one great great-grandchild on the way; her sister, Twila (Melvin) Birzer ; her brother, Randy Crockett; a sister-in-law, Judi Crockett; and a host of nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Keith, of 37 years; her parents; a brother, Herman (Sonny) Crockett, and a step-daughter, Monica Bell Reser. 

There will be no visitation as cremation has taken place. A family burial will be at a later date. Memorial contributions can be sent to the Monica Bell Reser Memorial Scholarship at Barton Community College or a Humane Society of contributor’s choice, in care of Bryant Funeral Home, 1425 Patton Rd, Great Bend, KS 67530. Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net.

Funeral arrangements provided by

Bryant Funeral Home 

1425 Patton Road

Great Bend, KS 67530

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Nov. 2, 2022