Ginny Staats

Jul 10, 2025 | Obituaries 2025 | 2 comments

Ginny Lamar (Moody) Staats, 84, of Lee’s Summit, Mo passed away due to a short journey with lung cancer, on July 9, 2025 surrounded by her loving family.

She was born on April 30, 1941, in San Antonio, Texas to Dan and Norma Moody and she was the youngest of three daughters. She grew up on a ranch in the hill country in Texas. During that time, she developed her passion for riding and training horses. She started her formal education at Stephens College and finished at Central Missouri State University with a degree in teaching. While finishing her teaching degree, she married Richard Earl Staats, from Windsor, Mo. To this union, she was blessed with two daughters, Doria and Raegan, that she raised on a small ranch in Lone Jack, Missouri, with horses and a menagerie of animals.

After getting her teaching degree, she began teaching in Oak Grove, Mo as a fourth-grade teacher. Against the school’s rules, she instituted a program for the students called the Pony Express. She brought many students, after they had earned the privilege, to come to the ranch to ride horses and have a campfire.

Ginny enjoyed riding/training horses, playing volleyball, and bowling, She coached her daughter’s softball league and she was known to advocate for her students. She also rescued and rehabilitated many different types of wild animals. She shared this love with her children. After twenty-nine years of teaching, she retired and enjoyed spending time with family, traveling, going to the boats, rescuing dogs and playing bunco with her friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her grandson, Baden Powell Ratterman, her great grandchild, Ignatius Fulton Alexander Lind, her sisters, Diane Freeman of Dallas, Texas and Annamary Stewart of San Antonio, Texas.

She is survived by her daughters Doria Lane Staats, Raegan Lamar Ratterman (Pat), her twelve grandchildren: Brody (Rosemarie) Ratterman, Abigail (Matt) Lind, Paul (Abby) Ratterman, Mary (Bailey) Lowrance, Maggie (John) Corkum, Gus (Gabrielle) Ratterman, Philomena (Luke) Rookstool, Max Ratterman, Gemma Ratterman, Rachel Ratterman, Anastasia Ratterman, Zelie Ratterman and twenty-one great grandchildren.

A visitation will be held on Friday evening, July 11, 2025 at Signature Funerals 406 E. Bannister Rd. Kansas City, Missouri 64131 where the family will receive friends and family from 6:00-8:00 pm. A chapel service will be held on Saturday July 12, 2025 at Elmwood Cemetery Chapel 4900 E. Truman Rd. Kansas City, Missouri 64127 at 11:00 am. A graveside service will immediately follow on the grounds of Elmwood Cemetery.

The family requests in lieu of flowers, donations be made in her memory to KC Pet Project or Animals Best Friends.

She will be greatly missed. Rest in peace Mom “Granna”

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Denise and Mike whalon

1 year ago

Dori. We are so sorry to hear of your mom’s passing. I can see her in the field out back on her stool letting her dog just run. She was a sweet sweet lady. Let us know if you need anything.

Ashton

1 year ago

What a sweet and kind hearted lady Ginny was. Smiling through her last days and enjoying her big mac because nothing else sounded good. I enjoyed spending time with her and hearing about her life. Even at the end, it was apparent that she wanted what was best for others. May she rest in peace in the presence of God.

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M. Weber Family

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O'Brien's

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Elaine

I'm Speechless, you are so kind. You made Richard's celebration of Life and awesome experience. Richard and I shared our life together for 45 years and you have put my life in a happier place.
Most Grateful I am, Robert S.

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