Obituary of Pat Ann Reasoner

Pat Ann Reasoner, age 80, of Keats, Kansas, died Monday, October 27, 2014, at her home in Keats surrounded by her sons Michael, Mark and Matt. Pat was born Floretta Jean McAlister October 15, 1934, at Freedom, Oklahoma. She was the youngest of three children born to Henry and Edna (Bird) McAlister. When her parents divorced in 1935 her oldest brother Gaylord was sent to live with Edna’s parents, Frank and Ruth Bird, while brother Marvin was adopted by Henry’s brother Clyde McAlister. Floretta Jean McAlister was adopted by another brother, George McAlister, and his wife Hazel who had an older boy named Max. Her name was formally changed to Pat Ann McAlister at the age of 7 in 1941. She was a 1952 graduate of the Alva High school Goldbugs, and was married to her High school sweet heart Roy Wayne (R.W.) Reasoner. She later continued her education, first obtaining a Bachelor of Arts degree from Kansas State University in Art with a concentration in Painting in 1975, and then a dual Masters in Curriculum and Instruction and Art History in 1980. She went back again, obtaining a Masters in Community Counseling from Emporia State University in 1996 and obtained her certificate for counseling from the National Board for Certified Counselors that same year. She continued to study and learn about oil and porcelin painting to the end, as art was a life long passion. Pat ran her own antique store called Little Red Barn Antiques in Wakefield, KS and worked as an Interior Designer for Furniture City in Clay Center before concentrating on her work as Secretary and partner for Bittersweet Enterprises, Inc. R. W. worked for over 50 years moving houses in the states of Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Iowa. She also worked as a teacher of English as a Second Language at the Manhattan Learning Center, ran another antique store in Keats in the old Grade School building, and served as the Cafeteria Supervisor for Kramer Food Service at Kansas State University. She also worked as a Travel Agent, performed her counseling internship at Pawnee Mental Health, and later served as a Guidance Counselor at Flint Hills Job Corps. Her love of antiques and art was picked up from her Stepfather, George McAlister. Both Pat and R.W. were members of the Keats United Methodist Church. Pat was also a member and past President of the Riley County Historical Society. She was preceded in death by her parents, step parents, brother Gaylord, step brother Max McAlister and her husband R.W. Reasoner. She is survived by her three sons, Michael Reasoner of Manhattan, Kansas, Mark Reasoner and wife Mary of Wichita, Kansas and Matthew Reasoner of Riley, Kansas; 1 brother, Marvin McAlister of Weed, California; 6 grandchildren, Joshua, Dustin, Dillon, Walter, Renea and Hannah Reasoner and 4 great grandchildren, Aubrey, Tegan, Bayden and Annabelle Reasoner. Memorial services will be held at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, November 8, 2014 at the Keats United Methodist Church. A fellowship luncheon to celebrate Pat’s life with friends and family will follow in the fellowship hall. A memorial has been established for Homecare and Hospice. Contributions may be left care of the Anderes-Pfeifley Funeral Home in Riley, Kansas.