Velma Catherine Thomas McNew

Hutchinson: Velma Catherine Thomas McNew, 89, passed away March 20, 2015, at the home of her daughter Marsha on McNew Road, Hutchinson. She was born on December 29, 1925, in Hutchinson, KS. She was the 4th daughter of James L. and Lena Thayer Thomas. Her senior year she worked afternoons at Woolworths. She was a 1943 graduate of Hutchinson High School. Later that year she married Charles Teter. To them 3 children were born, and 10 years later he was killed in a wheat truck accident south west of Hutchinson. In 1954, Velma married a school friend, Wallace A. McNew. They lived on a registered Holstein dairy farm south of Hutchinson. Velma was a homemaker, active in EHU –HDU and served on Reno County Extension Council. She and Wally were both very active in volunteering at the hospitals, starting with the boutique at St. Elizabeth Hospital, then in all departments in the volunteer program at Hutchinson Hospital. Later she was a Welcome Wagon Hoster for 3 years and the Women’s Food Department Superintendent at the Kansas State Fair for 12 years. Many Hutchinson people and surrounding areas will remember fun times they had at McNew Farm Brownie Day Campers, Girl Scouts, swinging in the barn, swimming pool, Ferris wheel, overnights in the barn, go-cart rides, tractor driving, wiener roasts and many yard games. After Wally retired from milking in 1982, they did a lot of traveling before moving to Donna, TX in1988. They both were very active in shuffleboard and Wally won State Champion one year and Velma won 2nd one year. They won many trophies. They also started Duplicate Bridge in their park, and Wally directed it for 12 years. A few years later Velma got ill from medicine which left her using a walker, all the time. She also had diabetes for many years. She is survived by daughters, Marsha Haynes of Hutchinson, Debbie McNew of Hutchinson, and son Barry McNew of Pretty Prairie, 8 grandchildren, and 13 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband on February 18, 2013, after they had been married 59 years; her parents, 3 sisters, Vida Thomas Russell, Hutchinson, Dorris Thomas Ball, Kansas City, KS, and Gladys Thomas Albright Devault, Anthony, TX. Services are pending. Memorial may be sent to Hospice of Reno County in care of Ott Funeral Home, Haven,

Velma Catherine Thomas McNew

December 29, 1925 - March 20, 2015