Patricia Ann Welker's Obituary
Patricia Ann Welker after a long life of service, teaching, family and friendship, Pat Welker died Tuesday, March 17, at the age of 91. In its entirety, Pat’s life can be described as a quilt, consisting of a variety of patterns, colors, and textures. A quilt whose richness and intentionality could not be realized until all of the pieces were complete.
Pat’s adventures began in Fayetteville, Arkansas, where she grew up alongside her brother John and sister Marilyn. She loved her parents’ Rosco and Roma (Morrison) Ambrose, her hometown and its Razorback heritage. The first church she attended was First Presbyterian Church of Fayetteville, where after graduating from high school she, along with a girlfriend and youth minister, planned a summer trip to Alaska. Despite her parents’ concern she bravely boarded her first plane to help at a church summer camp in Sitka, Alaska — an experience that would shape the remainder of her life.
After graduating from the University of Arkansas, she made her way to New Jersey to attend Princeton Seminary. She was one of only six women enrolled in the newly formed Christian Education program. There, she met David, the love of her life, who was studying Theology. He was in his third year and graduating. Love pulled Pat to leave seminary and marry David.
They started their life together in Wyoming before David received a call to the American Church in Anaco, Venezuela and Balboa, Panama, where they spent over 8 years working and traveling, and eventually adopting their first child, David John. Later they would travel throughout Europe, Aruba, and the British Islands. After growing up in a small town in Arkansas, seeing the world gave Pat an appreciation for people and their stories, seeing all people through the eyes of God.
After a short calling in Altus, Oklahoma, where they adopted their second child, Carol, they moved to Oklahoma City where David began his tenure at Westminster Presbyterian Church. It was also here that they completed their family of six by adding Joanna and Donald to the mix. In those early years, Pat spent her time nurturing the four children by attending to their every need. When the kids were older, Pat became an elementary school teacher, putting her values into action by intentionally choosing underserved areas, and campaigning for the Equal Rights Amendment.
In 1984, David and Pat decided to leave Oklahoma City and move to Pryor, OK where David served as Interim Pastor at the Presbyterian church, while Pat continued teaching. It was there that she was awarded a Geography teaching award and spent a summer in Washington DC at the National Geographic Institute developing curriculum for teachers.
Pat loved history and eventually embarked on a graduate degree in the subject at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, where, in 1994, she won the AV Sorenson Award for best history thesis. She loved writing about family, history, and Fayetteville. It was important to her to preserve family history for future generations to enjoy.
Upon retirement, Pat and David moved to Estes Park, CO. They were again very intentional about their plans for retirement. They had a strong belief in retiring to something and not just from something. They had an immense love for nature and quickly blended into the mountain community. While always being involved in the church, she developed her theological curiosities with likeminded members of the Community Church of the Rockies, where she taught Sunday School classes that explored the ideas of progressive Christianity.
Her passion for writing continued as well. Always wanting to improve her craft, she took writing courses at Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu, New Mexico, which ultimately led to the writing and publication of her two books. In her book on Highlands Camp and Retreat Center, located in Allenspark, Colorado, Pat documents the history of the camp from its inception to present day. Her second book, “Seeking to Become Whole: Creating a Transformed Church for All the Children of God” she explores some of the cultural challenges the current Church faces.
January of 2016, after living in Estes Park for 11 years after David’s passing, Pat decided to pull up roots and move to Wichita, KS to be closer to her daughter, Joanna and Matt Ediger, along with their two children Jacob and Meryt. She wanted to be able to attend all their school and sporting activities which she did all the way to helping them with college decisions. She continued to be active in the church at First Presbyterian Church of Wichita, teaching Sunday School well into her 90’s and singing in the Choir. She made many good friends in the last quilt square of her life. Including the many residents of Presbyterian Manor where she lived. Pat participated in multiple book clubs, and writing. She even picked Bridge back up after not playing for many years. She always had the latest theological book in hand from Crossin and Spong, to Barbara Brown Taylor and Kate Bowler.
The impact of Pat’s life on so many friends and family will live on forever through her children – Don, Carol, and Joanna; her grandchildren – Jacob (married to Chyler) and Meryt; her nieces Mary, Cheryl, Michelle, Joyce, and nephews Wes Jr., Kent, Glen, John Daniel, Clare and their children. Pat’s quilt was created by her love for God and sewn together with love. If you would like to make a contribution to anything Pat loved – please give to Christian Education and mission programs for future generations at First Presbyterian Church Wichita, or PC (USA) Disaster Assistance or the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
Burial will be held at the National Cemetery in Fayetteville, Arkansas on Monday, March 23, 2026 at 10:30AM
Celebration of Life will be held at First Presbyterian Church Wichita, Kansas on April 11, 2026 at 1:00PM
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