Velma M. Anthony

June 12, 1927 - June 13, 2020

Velma Mae "Peach" Leader Anthony was born June 12, 1927 in Attica, KS to Ruth (Hewitt) & Harvey Leader. She passed away Saturday, June13, 2020 in Pratt, KS. She was the 4th of 8 children. Velma was preceded in death by Bryl, Mary, John, Helen, Arlene, & Harry. One brother survives, Carl of Woodlawn Oregon. Velma and her siblings attended Star Valley School, a one room schoolhouse in rural Harper county. Many times her and her siblings rode their horse to grade school. She attended high school at Attica High school where she acquired the nickname of Peach from the school janitor. Following High school in June 1945 she joined the Cadet Nursing Corps to help the WWII cause, but the war quickly ended. In the fall she attended beauty college in Wichita. After graduating she worked at a little beauty shop called Vanity in Wellington before marrying Dean on Dec 15 1946 at Hillside Baptist Church in Wichita, KS. Velma used her beauty skills off and on through the years until her death mostly on her kids & grandkids. Her poor grandson Shane is still traumatized because his ear may have a scar on it from one of grandma's haircuts, he just wouldn't sit still. Velma was always Dean's #1 supporter. They had many business ventures together during their 66 years of marriage. She was his bookkeeper & top advisor. She loved keeping books & could pull paperwork on the first home, the motel they built, farms, trucks every deal they ever put together. She did all of it by hand, no computer needed! Velma was a wonderful self taught piano player. She borrowed $25.00 from her parents to purchase her first piano while still in beauty school. She played piano at several local churches over the years, and learned to play the organ at the Iuka Methodist church. Some of the family's favorite piano memories include showing up at her home, instead of ringing the bell to go in, we would just sit on the porch and listen to her play. If she knew you were listening she would stop playing, it was more important to her to visit, so showing up while she was playing was always a stop and listen treat. She wasn't one to just sit and play for you, unless you were a grand or great grand kid then she loved having them sing along or play an instrument with her. Not only did she play piano but she was an amazing artist. She & her sisters loved drawing & painting and were all very talented. If she bought clothes that were too big she wouldn't return them; she would just alter them to make them fit. She enjoyed altering clothes & took great pride in being one of the best dressed women anywhere she went. She loved sewing for her granddaughters when they were small, making them the cutest ruffley dresses. She once fixed great grandson Kahner's belt that was too long, he watched every stitch that her magic sewing machine made, all the while calling her "The GREAT Grandma Peaches" and she was Great! Velma & Dean had a passion for traveling & seeing the world. They also made sure their 4 kids saw as much as possible. They loved traveling with the kids whether it was by car or plane. A memorable trip was flying in the 4 seater airplane to the Bahamas. Patty the oldest daughter was away at school but Steve, Gayl, & Wade went along that made 5 in a 4 seater plane flying over the ocean.Another summer was spent driving to Alaska, and then coming back to see Oregon to visit her brother. Adventure was a big part of her life! Her 4 children are Patricia Horton, Deceased. Steven Anthony of Pretty Prairie, Gayl Lee, Great Bend, Wade & Debbie Anthony, Pratt. Grandkids are Shawna & John Heien, Louisburg Shane and Crystal Anthony, from Anthony Kansas James & Eleanor Anthony, Pratt Jacob & Lindy Anthony, Pratt Charlene & Joe Melson, Great Bend Kelsey Olivares, Carlton KS Jason & Trista McGuire, Hays Christina Horton, Hutch Sarah Anthony, Pratt Ruth Anthony, Kansas City Noah Anthony, Pratt Jonah Anthony, Pratt & William Anthony deceased. There are 17 great grandkids. The older grand kids have wonderful memories of fishing & riding 3 wheelers at the farm. Plus there were the ducks, Max the cowdog & learning to milk Dolly the cow. The great grandkids loved playing at great grandma Peaches park and with the old basket of toys that were always in the closet waiting on the kids to show up. She was witty, smart, beautiful, strong, complex, & amazing wife, mom, grandma. She loved Jesus & her family beyond words. Fri June 12th was her 93rd birthday, what a grand way to celebrate it, reuniting with Dean, her parents & siblings & those crazy in laws! There is a big party happening in heaven! Memorial Service will be 3:00 pm Thursday, June 18, 2020 at Larrison Mortuary with Pastor Steve Triplett officiating. Burial will follow at Attica Cemetery, Attica, KS. Memorials may be made to Church of Christ, in Pratt or Pretty Prairie Nursing Home in care of Larrison Mortuary, Ltd..