Velma L. Stewart

Velma L. Stewart, 97, died Feb. 18, 2011, at the Heritage Nursing Home in Girard.

She was born Oct. 31, 1913, in Concreta, Kan., to Mose Chester and Sylvia Alice (Leslie) Gillaspie. She grew up and attended rural schools in Bronson, Kan.

She married Leo Forest Stewart on March 18, 1933, in Iola, Kan. They lived in rural Bronson where they farmed and operated a dairy. They had three children, Marjorie Thomas, Richard Stewart and Jack Stewart. She was preceded in death by her husband in 1987, and all three of their children.

She is survived by two grandchildren, Rhonda Thomas Winters, of Tulsa, Okla., and Wayne Stewart of Weir, Kan.; and six great-grandchildren. Also preceding her in death were two granddaughters, Patricia Thomas Fields and Cheryl Thomas Ruckert.

Velma and Leo were members of the United Methodist Church, the Grange, numerous coin clubs and the Banty Show Chicken Club. After Leo's death, she moved to Girard to be close to Jack.

Graveside services were held at 1 p.m., Monday, Feb. 21, at the Bronson Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials to the American Cancer Society. They may be sent to the Smith-Carson-Wall Funeral Home, 518 W. St. John, Box 258, Girard, 66743.

Condolences may be sent to www.wallfuneralservices.com