Patty Lewallen, age 93, of Oakley, passed away on Saturday, November 15, 2014 at the Hays Medical Center.

Patricia Margaretha Riggs was born in South Charleston, West Virginia on August 31, 1921, the daughter of Rae Andrew and Mabel Johnson Riggs. She was the middle child of three, joined by her older brother Rae and younger sister Phyllis. At the age of 5, the family moved to Warren, Pennsylvania where Patty attended kindergarten. They later moved to Jeannette, Pennsylvania where her father was employed as an electrical engineer for the Elliot Co. She attended school there through her freshman year of high school, having skipped the 7th grade through scholastic testing. Her father was transferred to the Kansas City office and decided upon Lawrence, Kansas as their next home, so the children could attend the University of Kansas. Patty graduated from both high school and the University of Kansas in Lawrence. She earned degrees in Sociology & Psychology from KU.

She met her husband Clyde Kenneth "Kenny" Kost while attending KU. She married him on February 18, 1945, while he was on leave from service in the Army. In 1947, Kenny was discharged from the Army, obtaining the rank of Major. He returned to the University of Kansas, where he completed an additional year in Pharmacy school to refresh his knowledge. The couple then moved to Oakley, Kansas, where they purchased a drug store from George Hall. Three children were born to this union: Barbara Anne, who married Mark Brothers, Judith Kay, who married Gerald Collins, and Kenneth Rae who married Shanda Staneart. Kenny operated "Kenny's Drug Store until his death on January 1, 1970. Patty took over management of the store at the time of Kenny's death and successfully operated the enterprise for 12 years.

On May 2, 1982 Patty married Ross E. Lewallen who managed a successful insurance business in Oakley. They enjoyed traveling the country, playing golf, dancing, and spending time with each other's families, until Ross's untimely death on September 14, 1985.

After Ross's death, at the urging of her sister Phyllis, Patty began working in Yellowstone National park for Hamilton's Stores. That first summer in the park transformed her life. She developed a new love for the mountains and became an avid outdoorsman. She and her friends hiked hundreds of miles of trails, climbed mountains, fly fished the streams of the west, photographed wildlife, traveled extensively and made numerous lifelong friendships. Her Yellowstone National Park adventure lasted for 18 years.

In 2004, Patty returned to Oakley where she spent the remainder of her life. She served as secretary for the United Methodist Church. She managed the 2nd Time Around Shop for many years. She was active in the First United Methodist Church of Oakley for over 60 years. She was also an active member in P.E.O., Goldenrod Club, a lifetime member of the KU Alumni Association, Mortar Board, Eastern Star, Monday Bridge Club, volunteered extensively with the R.S.V.P. (Retired Senior Services Program) and traveled the world with the Flying Jayhawks.

Patty's pride and joy were her children: Barbara Brothers and husband Mark of Cherryvale, Judy Collins and husband George of Page City, and Kenny Kost of Overland Park; her grandchildren: Kelci Kost, Kyle Kost and wife Eranne, Niki Clark and husband Shawn, Crystal Rucker and husband Melvin, Tenille Lee and husband Brandon, Gary Collins, Jeff Brothers and Michael Brothers; her great grandchildren Colin Clark, Kylie Clark, Eric Rucker, Aaron Rucker, Journey Lee, Kaden Lee, Isaiah Lee and Corbin Brothers. She is also survived by her sister Phyllis McCormick of Windcrest, Texas and her stepdaughter Judy (Lewallen) Gundy and husband George of North Charleston, South Carolina.

Patty was preceded in death by her parents Rae and Mabel (Johnson) Riggs, her husbands: Kenny Kost and Ross Lewallen, brother Rae Riggs, Jr., stepson Jay Lewallen, and stepdaughter Sally Lewallen.

Funeral service will be at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, November 20, 2014 at Oakley United Methodist Church, with interment in the Oakley Cemetery. No visitation. Casket will remain closed. Memorials to the church may be sent to Kennedy-Koster Funeral Home, PO Box 221, Oakley, KS 67748.