SUSANK — Patricia A. ‘Patty’ Demel, 66, died Sept. 10, 2026, at her home in Susank, Kan. She was born May 2, 1960, in Oyster Bay, N.Y., the daughter of Aurthur DePaola and Joan S. (Jarzemboski) Koch.
Patty moved to Barton County in 1982 and took a job with the KHOK radio station where she lived in an apartment above the station. She later received her nursing degree from Barton County Community College and began her career as an EMT and LPN for Clara Barton Hospital where she worked for many years. By collecting lighthouses, Pattie was able to reflect on her fond childhood memories of growing up on the coast. She was also a collector of Hummels and loved a good card game.
On Feb. 7, 1986, she married Patrick A. Demel. They were blessed with three sons, Leonard, Jonathan, and Charles. They later divorced and she then met her life partner, David Boese spending the last 16+ years together.
She is survived by her three sons, Leonard (Pennyleann) Demel of Great Bend, Jonathan (Crystal) Demel of Hays, Charles A. Demel of Susank; daughter-of-the-heart, April Dawn Kramer of Bushton; honorary children, Lauren Rose, Jessica Ann, and Danielle ‘Dan Dan’; stepchildren, Leonard Boese of Susank, Heather (Christopher) Atherton of Alabama; Ashley (Jonathan) Frasher of Gorham, Alica (Ian) Dole of Russell and Hiliary Boese of Hill City; brothers, George DePollo and Kevin DePollo, both of Florida, and Tony DePollo of New York; and a sister, Dawn of Chicago; 34 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.
Per Patty’s wishes, cremation has taken place and a private family Celebration of Life service will be held at a later date. Friends may sign the book at the funeral home Monday – Friday. Memorials may be made to Clara Barton Hospital Foundation in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544. Notices may be viewed and condolences sent at www.nicholsonrickefh.net.
Funeral arrangements provided by
Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home
P.O. Box 146
Hoisington, KS 67544
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Sept. 19, 2026
