Patricia “Pat” Reed, age 85, went to be with her Lord and Savior on July 7, 2026, surrounded by her family. She was born January 21, 1941, in Ottawa, Kansas, to Clarence “Speed” Isbell and Margaret Oshant. After her mom died in a car accident when she was only seven weeks old, her dad moved them to Hays where his sister, Lettie Jacobs, lived. Her Aunt Ide moved with them to help care for her while her dad ran Jep’s Super Service. She attended Lincoln Grade School and graduated from Hays High School in 1959. She then went to Kansas State University where she earned many honors, including Miss K-State Football. She would lovingly talk about how every time she got an honor, she would call her dad collect, and she could picture the dollar signs above his head as he was probably wondering how much this was going to cost him.
She dated Hank Pierce all throughout college, then they married on June 2, 1962. To this union came Janie, Carrie, and Lisa. In 1971, she married Jerry Reed and moved the family to Hoxie. She taught K-8 Art and loved every minute of it. She loved her students, and they loved her right back. She poured her heart into her classroom, always making sure her students had what they needed to create, learn, and feel encouraged. Many of her students still have their drape art dolls that they made in 6th grade, as well as many fond memories of listening to Air Supply in the art room while working on the many projects Mrs. Reed created. Pat spent many evenings in her art room preparing for projects, matting pictures, or labeling pieces to get them ready for an art show. She didn’t like giving a letter grade—she said if they came to class and did their best, she gave them an A. Pat also coached junior high volleyball and track. She and Jerry later moved to Goodland where she was a substitute teacher, then to Shallow Water where she taught elementary art as well as junior high art in Scott City. It was because of the special needs of her oldest grandchild, Cody, and the tremendous help that preschool services were in his life that prompted her to obtain her degree in Early Childhood Special Education.
Pat retired from teaching early and moved back to Hays to help care for her dad and her aunts in their later years. She and Jerry enjoyed traveling to many places and spent eight winters in their second home in Sun Lakes, Arizona. She enjoyed collecting unique walking sticks, playing cards, and playing the quarter slot machines. She also enjoyed having family gatherings, and everyone loved her famous spaghetti.
She lived a life defined by kindness, generosity, and a servant’s heart, always putting the needs of others before her own. Though her earthly journey has ended, the impact of her life and example she set will continue to guide and inspire generations to come. Well done, good and faithful servant. Your love lives on in us.
She is preceded in death by her father, Clarence Isbell; mother, Margaret Isbell; and husband, Jerome Reed.
Pat is survived by her daughters Janie Lewis (Sonny), Carrie Stremel (Les Sealock), and Lisa Pierce; grandchildren Cody Baker, Audrea Marciano (Salvatore), Amy Stewart, Brittany Baker, Ashley Durbin (Aaron), Heather Dixon, Jordan Stremel (Crysta), Holly Donaldson, and Hannah Donaldson; as well as 11 great grandchildren; Elijah, Asia, Quincy, Jewels, Francesco, Giuliana, Caiden, Raina, Carter, Patrick and Kaeley.
Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at 11:00 AM at Keithley Funeral Homes and Crematory - Brock's Chapel, 2509 Vine Street Hays, Kansas 67601. Interment will follow the services in the Mt. Allen Cemetery - Hays. Viewing and Visitation will be Monday, July 13, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM and on Tuesday from 10:00 until service time all at the funeral chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Gideons International.
Memories and words of comfort may be shared with Pat's family on her tribute page via: www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com