Petra Antonia (Solis) Lopez

Petra Antonia Solis Lopez, 96, of Kansas City, Kansas, passed away at home in Linwood, Kansas on Monday, June 3, 2024. She was a lifelong resident of KCK before moving to Linwood in the full-time care of family four years ago. Petra was born at home on April 27, 1928, in the Argentine community of KCK, the daughter of Jesus and Hermenejilda (Perez) Solis. She graduated from Argentine High School and worked in bookkeeping and retail positions throughout her life. Most notably she worked decades at the then-popular Ed’s Florist at 31st & Gillham in Kansas City, Missouri, where she indulged her appreciation of nature’s gifts and served her customers with a friendly smile. However, Petra’s legacy is her resilience, which enabled her to raise her six children while, at one time, caring for her ailing mother and maintaining full-time employment. Born during the Interwar Period and growing up as a child and teenager during the Great Depression and WWII, Petra witnessed and endured much hardship. As a young mother, she was impacted by The Great Flood of 1951 that, among other areas, devastated parts of Kansas including Petra’s Argentine community and her childhood Clara Barton grade school. Always a faithful Catholic, Petra raised her children to be active in the church. She remained a church-goer well into her 80s, driving herself to Sunday Mass at St. John the Evangelist despite years of suggestions from her doctor that she retire from driving. She most loved her grandchildren, gardening, full moons, visiting with and cooking for family, and celebrating her children’s birthdays. Petra will be remembered for her tenacity, graciousness, selflessness and her very forgiving nature. Petra is preceded in death by both of her parents, Jesus and Hermenejilda; brothers Hilario, Joseph, and Francisco; and sisters Katherine and Maria (Jessie). She is survived by her son, Larry B. Lopez; daughters Katherine J. Hursey, Elizabeth A. Lopez, Joyce E. Davidson (Patrick), Cynthia I. Deucher, and Dianna M. Kidwell (Brian); grandchildren Henry, Heather, Richard, Deirdre, Amber, Michael, Patrick Benjamin, Bryenn, Kate, Micaela, and Blake; 22 great-grandchildren; and 14 nephews and nieces.

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Petra Antonia (Solis) Lopez

April 27, 1928 - June 3, 2024