Patsy Lee Rowe

 Patsy Lee Rowe, 86, of Alma, KS, beloved mother and grandmother, passed away January 20th, 2026, at Stormont Vail Hospital in Topeka, KS.

 Patsy was born on August 28, 1939, in Barnsdall, Ok (Osage County) just a few days before the outbreak of World War II. She was the youngest of eight surviving children of Homer Oscar Shaw and Ethel Viola Shaw (Wilcox). She graduated from Barnsdall High School with the class of 1957. Patsy was a brilliant singer and pianist, performing jazz and big band standards and popular hits of the 30s, 40s, and 50s as well as gospel songs. She enjoyed attending performances and dancing at Tulsa’s famous Cimmaron Ballroom during its heyday. Patsy even sang on television in the late 1950s. Her performances were often the highlight of social and family gatherings. Later in life she performed regularly for the residents of the Alma Nursing Home.

 She met her husband William Stanley Rowe (of Bartlesville, OK) in the early 1960s, and together they raised three daughters. As a family they lived in Barnsdall, OK, St. Louis, MO; Joplin, MO; Raleigh, NC; Marietta, GA; and Hot Springs, AR before settling in Alma, KS in 1993.

 Patsy loved gardening and was an amazing cook and a locally renowned baker. She loved wildlife and enjoyed long drives in the country. In addition to being a talented musician, she was very creative and enjoyed painting ceramics and doing needle point and macrame. Patsy was proud of her Stockbridge Mohican heritage and was a direct descendent of Chief John Konkapot through her great grandfather, Levi Konkapot. She was an avid reader who loved to read religious works as well as U.S. history, particularly Civil War history, accounts of westward exploration, and Native American history. Patsy was heartbroken by the sudden accidental death of her teenage daughter Teresa in 1978. Despite family tragedy and disappointment, her Christian faith was abiding. Patsy was a prayer warrior who loved God with all her heart, and her Christian faith was unshakable.

 Patsy is survived by daughters Kelly Watson of Moore, OK, Heather Varnadore and husband Brian of Alma, KS, granddaughter Averil Varnadore of Alma, KS, and many nieces and nephews and extended family. Patsy was preceded in death by her husband William Stanley Rowe and her daughter Teresa Lynn Rowe, her father Homer Shaw, her mother Ethel Shaw (Wilcox), her brothers Leon Shaw, Mark Shaw, Paul Shaw, Emmett Shaw, Phillip Shaw and her sisters Roberta Walker and Gayola Claypool, as well as four siblings who died at birth or in infancy.

 Patsy’s cremated remains will be laid to rest privately in Alma City Cemetery alongside those of her husband. Prayers for Patsy and her family are greatly appreciated.

 Patsy's cremation arrangements are in the care of her family.