Patricia Gwen “Trish” Mundell

Patricia Gwen “Trish” Mundell, age 66, of Ottawa, Kansas, passed away on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at Advent Health Shawnee Mission.

Trish was born on October 21, 1958, in Port Jervis, New York, the daughter of Harry and Elizabeth (Cummings) Hotzler. One of six siblings, Trish grew up in a lively, close-knit family. She spent her final two years of high school at Turner High School in Kansas City, Kansas, and graduated with the Class of 1976.

On April 16, 1977, Trish married Steve Mundell. Together, they raised three children: Brian, Crystal, and Melanie. The couple later divorced.

Throughout her life, Trish worked hard and wore many hats — waitress, employee at King Radio, one day at a nursing home, Wolf Creek Power Plant, and eventually a mail carrier with the U.S. Postal Service, from which she retired. Yet, she always said her most meaningful role was being a stay-at-home mom when her children were growing up.

Creative and full of heart, Trish was an avid crocheter, lovingly crafting afghans for each of her children. She had a magical ability to spot four-leaf clovers and found joy in life’s small, quiet treasures — mowing her yard and tending to her flower beds, canning, writing heartfelt letters and poems, and baking her famous oatmeal cookies, and cherry turnovers on Christmas morning.

A true sports fan, Trish loved cheering on the Kansas City Chiefs, Royals, and KU basketball. She was also musically gifted, singing at church and performing the National Anthem at Parker Days. In her younger years, she could be found keeping score at her children’s baseball and softball games, even stepping up as coach for a couple of seasons.

To her grandchildren, she was known affectionately as “MaGa Trish.” Her love for her family was the thread that ran through everything she did, and she took immense pride in her role as a mother, grandmother, and recently, great-grandmother.

Trish was preceded in death by her father, Harry Hotzler. She is survived by her loving children: Brian (Maryann) Mundell, Crystal (Joe) Riggs, and Melanie (Ben) Vaughn; eleven cherished grandchildren: Jake, Alex, Austin, Johnny, Joey Marie, Jett, Jaxx, June, Benny, Ava, and Reed; and her great-grandchild, Finley. She also leaves behind her mother, Elizabeth Hotzler; siblings: Harry Hotzler Jr., Robert Hotzler, Willie Hotzler, Michelle Hotzler, and Rose Bishop; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.