Rae Patricia (Heath) Hederstedt, 83, died on September 1, 2025. She was born on August 21, 1942, in Salina, Kansas, to Roy Hinkle Heath and Rachel Esther (Tonkin) Heath.
Rae Pat graduated from Salina High School in 1960. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Kansas and master’s degree in education from Wichita State University. She married David Ross Hederstedt in 1963. They were married many years and were later good friends and co-parents. Rae Pat taught elementary school in Eudora, Overbrook, and Osage City, Kansas. In Hutchinson, she first taught Head Start, and later, taught third, fourth, and fifth grades at Avenue A Elementary School, retiring in 2003. She was a member of the KU Alumni Association, Pi Beta Phi, and Grace Episcopal Church where she served on the vestry and had many friends. She was a fierce and loving advocate for Sam - her son with disabilities.
Rae Pat was a caregiver and lover of learning. She prioritized building strong friendships and remembered that all the best relationships are sprinkled with quick, intelligent wit. Sharing these qualities and values made her an amazing mom and grandma.
She is preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Roy Samuel Heath, her sister, Alison Mary (Heath) Carter, and Dave Hederstedt.
Rae Pat is survived by her daughters, Sarah (Chuck) Blake and Laura A. Hederstedt; son, Sam Wilson Hederstedt; five grandchildren, T.J. (Tucker) Blake-Briggs, Rachel Kephart, Annie Blake, Charlie Kephart, and Joe Blake; brother-in-law, George Carter; niece Elizabeth Carter, and many wonderful cousins and dear friends.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m., September 20, 2025, at Grace Episcopal Church, 2 Hyde Park, Hutchinson, Kansas. Friends who cannot attend may sign the memorial guestbook at the funeral home prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Grace Episcopal Church or to TECH, Inc., in care of Hutchinson Funeral Chapel, 300 E. 30th Ave, Hutchinson, KS 67502.