Patty Jean Vratil, 79, passed away Aug. 31, 2023, at Wesley Medical Center, Wichita. She was born Feb. 1, 1944, in Independence, Kan., to James and Lorene (Pundsack) Keeley. On Jan. 29, 1966, Patty was united in marriage to Ronald Dean “Ron” Vratil.

Patty grew up in Radium, Kan., graduating from Radium High School in 1962. Patty continued her studies at Fort Hays State University, graduating in 1966 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Education. Patty and Ron had attended grade school through college together. Their lives were entwined almost from the beginning; impossible to define where one began and the other ended. Their love story is an enduring one. After their union, they lived in Wichita for six years before moving to Great Bend in 1973. For 36 years, Patty was a secretary at USD 428 District Education Center before retiring in 2017. She was a member of the Prince of Peace Parish. 

Patty loved spending time with her children, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren. Patty was passionate about travel and loved to plan family vacations. Maui was her favorite place on earth, and she derived such joy from sharing it with her entire family of 13 in many return visits over the years.

Survivors include husband, Ron Vratil, of the home; two children, Kathy Brockway (Troy) of Salina and Jay Vratil (Jennifer) of Great Bend; seven grandchildren, Jessica, Lara and Aidan Brockway and Taylor Petracca (Garret), Brooke, Braden, and Kade Vratil; one sister, Linda McFarlane (Gene) of Durango, Colo.; many nephews and a niece. She was preceded in death by her parents; in-laws, Eddy and Susie Vratil; and sister and brother-in-law, Janet and Tom Hipp.

Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 5, with an Altar Society Rosary at 4 p.m. and a Vigil with Rosary at 7 p.m., all at Bryant Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Great Bend, with Father Aneesh Parappanattu presiding. Interment will follow at Great Bend Cemetery, Great Bend. Memorials have been designated to the Prince of Peace Parish or USD 428 Endowment Foundation, 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 Rd.

Great Bend, KS  67530

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Sept. 2, 2023