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Grave marker inscribed with 'In Loving Memory' - iStock - melissarobison

Obituary - Patricia ‘Patty’ L. Gemmill

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Memorial photo for Patricia "Patty" L. Gemmill

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Patty L. Gemmill, age 83, of Cheyenne Wells, was gathered into the loving arms of our dear Lord Jesus January 16, 2026, at Place in Overland Park, Kansas.

Patricia Lenora Breitenbach was born on January 18, 1942, in Belpre, Kansas, to Laurence and Lucille Breitenbach. She would add the confirmation name Helen, and would later in life proudly proclaim herself as “Patricia Lenora Helen Breitenbach Gemmill.”

As a young girl, she was adventurous and tomboyish, loving the outdoors and mischievousness. In high school, she was a drum majorette and cheerleader, and would meet the love of her life, Danny Gemmill. Their marriage of nearly thirty-five years – cut short by Danny’s the death in 1994 – produced six loving children and countless joyous memories.

Patty loved life! She loved music and singing her favorite songs; she loved sunbathing; she loved supporting her children and grandchildren at the endless parade of sporting events; she loved cooking for her family; she loved her trips to Colorado Springs and Cripple Creek; she loved decorating for Christmas; she loved her trip to Hawaii with Danny; she loved going out with her friends and the amazing family vacations shared with those friends; she loved making Halloween costumes and decorating birthday cakes; she loved sitting outside on the deck; she loved spoiling her grandchildren; she loved dogs, especially Laddie, Bear and Chance; she loved playing the slot machines. In particular, she loved to dance! And boy, could she dance, especially the Twist. Her ‘cutting the rug’ with dance partner Donnie Feyh is the stuff of legends!

Patty’s legacy is the endless number of incredible memories she leaves behind with family and friends: the morning breakfasts she fixed every day for Danny and the kids; the family trips to Estes Park, Denver, and Colorado Springs; her oversized sunglasses; the hot meals ready for a hungry softball team during the Tumbleweed Festival; the newspapers she prepped every morning before waking the kids to deliver them; the road trips to visit her mom and dad in Garden City, Kansas; the wisdom she passed to her daughters on how to cook, clean, and take care of ‘little ones’; her excitement when winning a jackpot at the casino; the Easter dress-ups and weekly Masses; the lessons she taught about honesty, sportsmanship, and never quitting until the job was done; her magical jar of M&M’s that never seemed to empty; the incredible vacations to Kansas City, including the complimentary stay at the luxurious Feyh Farm Resort; her beautiful smile and laughter; and so many more.

Patty worked as a nurse’s assistant at the local hospital for many years; she also served as an administrative assistant at the local lumber yard and at C and K Oil. In addition, after Danny’s passing, she went back to school and earned a degree as a massage therapist — excelling in that field until her retirement.

During her younger years, Patty lived in a number of Kansas locations, from Belpre to Larned to Kinsley to Pratt; then, in 1969, she and Danny took the family to Cheyenne Wells. For nearly forty-five years, Patty lived in the house on the corner, 105 W 6th St South, and oh the memories that were made there! When it became necessary for her to move, it nearly broke her heart, but she followed the advice she had so often given her children and made the best of the situation. As it turns out, the move to Kansas City wasn’t so bad after all – at least she could be closer to her beloved Chiefs! She resided in several places in the area before finally landing at Morningside Place, just down the street from DJ and Lori. It was there that she experienced another glowing achievement when she was crowned Morningside Prom Queen. She was so proud of that tiara!

In addition to her parents and husband, Patty is preceded in death by a daughter, Debby Gemmill; grandson, J.D. Eden; son-in-law, Bruce Eden; and sister, Peggy Breitenbach.

She is survived by daughters, Cathy Shuster (Jim), Cindy Eden, and Laurey Spader (Steve); sons, DJ Gemmill (Lori) and John Gemmill (Donna); grandchildren, Candice, Brandi, Cody, Robert, Rachel, Brittany, Courtney, Kaitlyn, Jessica, Joshua, Desiree and Dustin; and 26 great grandchildren.

Funeral services are pending.

Arrangements are under the direction of Brown Funeral Home.