Read at her funeral:
Velda Oneta Simon was born October 11, 1916 in Quinter, Kansas to Walter Scott Simon and Mabel May Corrick. During her early years in Sheridan County she learned many pioneer skills from her parents and grandparents. She could milk a cow and make butter, raise chickens and cook them, can fruits and vegetables, make jelly, bake bread and pastries, sew her own clothing, make quilts, and crochet almost anything.
Both parents taught school and education was very important. She had a great love a reading and regretted not having gone to college. She often reminisced about walking to school wearing a wet scarf to protect her face during the Dust Bowl.
As the second oldest girl, she had many responsibilities and little time for leisure. She and her siblings sang while doing their chores. They were all natural musicians and sang all the old hymns in four-part harmony. She taught herself to play the piano by ear and never learned to read music.
The family eventually settled in Wamego where there was a large extended family. When each child graduated high school, it was time to make their own way and move out on their own. Velda got a job and proudly bought a sewing machine with her first paycheck.
She married Clifford W. Mills on February 6, 1938 in Marysville, Kansas. They had two children together. Lt. Mills was sent to the Philippines during WWII. He was the first to raise an American flag on Leyte and a plaque there memorializes that moment. He was killed in action.
Back home, Velda worked as a cook, waitress and retail clerk. After the war, one of the returning veterans caught her attention. She married Walter Kelsey on August 23, 1951 in Bentonville, Arkansas. They met at the VFW hall, and she was proud to have been president of the VFW Auxiliary.
They moved to Kansas City, where Walter got work as a carpenter. Two more children were added. Then, Walter had a heart attack. Velda had to find a job fast. She worked at a lunch counter, then took the civil service exam. She was hired in the Medical Records department at K.U. Medical Center, where she worked her way up to supervisor and eventually retired after more than twenty years.
She was active in the church, sang in the choir and volunteered for many committees. Walter was also active as a deacon and bookkeeper. He died there one Wednesday evening in 1973, while the service was taking place. Velda continued to be active at the church and volunteered at Wyandotte Ministries, helping provide food for families in need.
When she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, her daughter, Jeanne, became her caretaker. She cared for Velda 24/7 and made sure she had everything she needed. But it was just too much. Velda went to Shawnee Gardens right before her 86th birthday. The structured routine was good for her and she improved for a time. But earlier this year she started to decline. After breaking her hip, she wasn't the same. She held on longer than anyone expected, but finally slipped away quietly.
Please remember her as she used to be. Remember her gentle nature, her kindness and her spirit.
Velda Oneta Simon was born October 11, 1916 in Quinter, Kansas to Walter Scott Simon and Mabel May Corrick. During her early years in Sheridan County she learned many pioneer skills from her parents and grandparents. She could milk a cow and make butter, raise chickens and cook them, can fruits and vegetables, make jelly, bake bread and pastries, sew her own clothing, make quilts, and crochet almost anything.
Both parents taught school and education was very important. She had a great love a reading and regretted not having gone to college. She often reminisced about walking to school wearing a wet scarf to protect her face during the Dust Bowl.
As the second oldest girl, she had many responsibilities and little time for leisure. She and her siblings sang while doing their chores. They were all natural musicians and sang all the old hymns in four-part harmony. She taught herself to play the piano by ear and never learned to read music.
The family eventually settled in Wamego where there was a large extended family. When each child graduated high school, it was time to make their own way and move out on their own. Velda got a job and proudly bought a sewing machine with her first paycheck.
She married Clifford W. Mills on February 6, 1938 in Marysville, Kansas. They had two children together. Lt. Mills was sent to the Philippines during WWII. He was the first to raise an American flag on Leyte and a plaque there memorializes that moment. He was killed in action.
Back home, Velda worked as a cook, waitress and retail clerk. After the war, one of the returning veterans caught her attention. She married Walter Kelsey on August 23, 1951 in Bentonville, Arkansas. They met at the VFW hall, and she was proud to have been president of the VFW Auxiliary.
They moved to Kansas City, where Walter got work as a carpenter. Two more children were added. Then, Walter had a heart attack. Velda had to find a job fast. She worked at a lunch counter, then took the civil service exam. She was hired in the Medical Records department at K.U. Medical Center, where she worked her way up to supervisor and eventually retired after more than twenty years.
She was active in the church, sang in the choir and volunteered for many committees. Walter was also active as a deacon and bookkeeper. He died there one Wednesday evening in 1973, while the service was taking place. Velda continued to be active at the church and volunteered at Wyandotte Ministries, helping provide food for families in need.
When she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, her daughter, Jeanne, became her caretaker. She cared for Velda 24/7 and made sure she had everything she needed. But it was just too much. Velda went to Shawnee Gardens right before her 86th birthday. The structured routine was good for her and she improved for a time. But earlier this year she started to decline. After breaking her hip, she wasn't the same. She held on longer than anyone expected, but finally slipped away quietly.
Please remember her as she used to be. Remember her gentle nature, her kindness and her spirit.
Read at her funeral:
Velda Oneta Simon was born October 11, 1916 in Quinter, Kansas to Walter Scott Simon and Mabel May Corrick. During her early years in Sheridan County she learned many pioneer skills from her parents and grandparents. She could milk a cow and make butter, raise chickens and cook them, can fruits and vegetables, make jelly, bake bread and pastries, sew her own clothing, make quilts, and crochet almost anything.
Both parents taught school and education was very important. She had a great love a reading and regretted not having gone to college. She often reminisced about walking to school wearing a wet scarf to protect her face during the Dust Bowl.
As the second oldest girl, she had many responsibilities and little time for leisure. She and her siblings sang while doing their chores. They were all natural musicians and sang all the old hymns in four-part harmony. She taught herself to play the piano by ear and never learned to read music.
The family eventually settled in Wamego where there was a large extended family. When each child graduated high school, it was time to make their own way and move out on their own. Velda got a job and proudly bought a sewing machine with her first paycheck.
She married Clifford W. Mills on February 6, 1938 in Marysville, Kansas. They had two children together. Lt. Mills was sent to the Philippines during WWII. He was the first to raise an American flag on Leyte and a plaque there memorializes that moment. He was killed in action.
Back home, Velda worked as a cook, waitress and retail clerk. After the war, one of the returning veterans caught her attention. She married Walter Kelsey on August 23, 1951 in Bentonville, Arkansas. They met at the VFW hall, and she was proud to have been president of the VFW Auxiliary.
They moved to Kansas City, where Walter got work as a carpenter. Two more children were added. Then, Walter had a heart attack. Velda had to find a job fast. She worked at a lunch counter, then took the civil service exam. She was hired in the Medical Records department at K.U. Medical Center, where she worked her way up to supervisor and eventually retired after more than twenty years.
She was active in the church, sang in the choir and volunteered for many committees. Walter was also active as a deacon and bookkeeper. He died there one Wednesday evening in 1973, while the service was taking place. Velda continued to be active at the church and volunteered at Wyandotte Ministries, helping provide food for families in need.
When she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, her daughter, Jeanne, became her caretaker. She cared for Velda 24/7 and made sure she had everything she needed. But it was just too much. Velda went to Shawnee Gardens right before her 86th birthday. The structured routine was good for her and she improved for a time. But earlier this year she started to decline. After breaking her hip, she wasn't the same. She held on longer than anyone expected, but finally slipped away quietly.
Please remember her as she used to be. Remember her gentle nature, her kindness and her spirit.
Velda Oneta Simon was born October 11, 1916 in Quinter, Kansas to Walter Scott Simon and Mabel May Corrick. During her early years in Sheridan County she learned many pioneer skills from her parents and grandparents. She could milk a cow and make butter, raise chickens and cook them, can fruits and vegetables, make jelly, bake bread and pastries, sew her own clothing, make quilts, and crochet almost anything.
Both parents taught school and education was very important. She had a great love a reading and regretted not having gone to college. She often reminisced about walking to school wearing a wet scarf to protect her face during the Dust Bowl.
As the second oldest girl, she had many responsibilities and little time for leisure. She and her siblings sang while doing their chores. They were all natural musicians and sang all the old hymns in four-part harmony. She taught herself to play the piano by ear and never learned to read music.
The family eventually settled in Wamego where there was a large extended family. When each child graduated high school, it was time to make their own way and move out on their own. Velda got a job and proudly bought a sewing machine with her first paycheck.
She married Clifford W. Mills on February 6, 1938 in Marysville, Kansas. They had two children together. Lt. Mills was sent to the Philippines during WWII. He was the first to raise an American flag on Leyte and a plaque there memorializes that moment. He was killed in action.
Back home, Velda worked as a cook, waitress and retail clerk. After the war, one of the returning veterans caught her attention. She married Walter Kelsey on August 23, 1951 in Bentonville, Arkansas. They met at the VFW hall, and she was proud to have been president of the VFW Auxiliary.
They moved to Kansas City, where Walter got work as a carpenter. Two more children were added. Then, Walter had a heart attack. Velda had to find a job fast. She worked at a lunch counter, then took the civil service exam. She was hired in the Medical Records department at K.U. Medical Center, where she worked her way up to supervisor and eventually retired after more than twenty years.
She was active in the church, sang in the choir and volunteered for many committees. Walter was also active as a deacon and bookkeeper. He died there one Wednesday evening in 1973, while the service was taking place. Velda continued to be active at the church and volunteered at Wyandotte Ministries, helping provide food for families in need.
When she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, her daughter, Jeanne, became her caretaker. She cared for Velda 24/7 and made sure she had everything she needed. But it was just too much. Velda went to Shawnee Gardens right before her 86th birthday. The structured routine was good for her and she improved for a time. But earlier this year she started to decline. After breaking her hip, she wasn't the same. She held on longer than anyone expected, but finally slipped away quietly.
Please remember her as she used to be. Remember her gentle nature, her kindness and her spirit.
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