Velva Walter

Former Kearney resident, 94

CHEYENNE, Wyo. - Velva Lucille Walter, 94, of Denver, formerly of Kearney, Neb., died Thursday, Oct. 11, 2007, at Davis Hospice Center in Cheyenne.

Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at O'Brien-Straatmann Funeral Home in Kearney with the Rev. Roy Rasmussen officiating. Burial will be at Kearney Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home and one hour before service time.

She was born March 17, 1913, in Pleasanton, Neb., to Grant and Julia (Wells) Swearingen.

On May 4, 1932, she married Raymond Walter. He died in 1953.

Survivors include her son, Arlan of Cheyenne; and daughter, Gaylene Williams of Denver.

Additional survivors include her grandchildren, Alana Cosper, Scot Craig, Stacey Walter and Brandie Whisenhunt; great-grandchildren, Tyler, Miryssa and Zakery Whisenhunt, Tristen and Anthony Walter and Lars and Tessa Craig; and her great-great-grandson, Mason Craig.

She was born on St. Patrick's Day. She had a hint of red hair and an Irish smile to match. She lived in the Pleasanton area with her parents; sisters, Eletha and Stella; and brothers, Hallie, Clyde, Clint and Omar.

The Walters lived on a farm southeast of Kearney on Kilgore Island. They worked hard and by the time her husband died, they owned two farms.

She and her children moved to Kearney after his death and lived there until 1964 when she, Gaylene and Arlan moved to Denver. She lived in the Denver area for the rest of her life. She resided in her home until she was 92 years old and then moved to an assisted living residence in Northglenn, Colo., a Denver suburb. She went to her glory after being moved to Davis Hospice Center in Cheyenne for the remainder of her days.

Her family will miss her a great deal. Her cheerful personality will be remembered by her loved ones and friends forever.

She will be buried next to her beloved husband.

Godspeed Mom, Grandma, Great-Grandma and Great-Great-Grandma. We love you.

Online condolences may be submitted to osafh.com.