Velma Earlene Strickland

VELMA EARLENE STRICKLAND Velma Earlene Strickland of South Haven, KS, a lifelong resident of Sumner County, died October 25, 2024, at Botkin Care and Rehab in Wellington, KS. Earlene was born the daughter of William Wolf and Olga Helena (Welch) on January 15, 1930, at the family home north of Portland KS, where she spent her first 18 years, going to school, first at Portland Grade School, and then graduating from South Haven High School. Earlene started dating Fred Strickland on the Fourth of July 1946 and were united in marriage on August 28, 1948. Fred and Earlene started their life together on a farm south of South Haven, raising three children, along with raising crops, cattle, and cane with the three extremely adventurous kids they created. Earlene was a member of the United Methodist Women's group and taught Sunday School. She was also a member of the Sumner County Historical Society along with being a worthy matron and lifetime member of the Order of the Eastern Star chapter, and a member of the Cherokan Gateway Association, helping with the placement of several historical markers in the area, one of which was placed at Hunnewell KS. She was a very devoted daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and good friend to all of her neighbors. Fred and Earlene enjoyed many nights of card playing with family and neighborhood friends. The kids all looked forward to these nights as well. Going from home to home for an evening was an affordable entertainment of that era. Earlene truly enjoyed cooking and baking. She made many beautiful wedding and anniversary cakes. Cooking was probably one of her favorite pastimes. She enjoyed running the Shoo Fly Shop. She and her sister, Lorraine would spend many hours making floral arrangements and working in the store and late nights at home. They were very close sisters and looked after one another at all times during their lives. Fred and Earlene were always available to help someone in their time of need. They were married for 60 years until Fred passed in 2009. Earlene is survived by son, Charles Wolf Strickland and his wife Brenda of South Haven, KS, son, Howard William Strickland and his wife Martha of South Haven, KS, and Linda Marie Day and her husband, Craig Day of Braman, OK. Grandchildren, Susan Day, Jason Strickland, Lee Day, Valerie Braddy, Kayla Betzen, John Strickland, and the absolute greatest great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Fred Strickland, brothers William Wolf Jr., Everette Wolf, Herman Wolf, infant brother Otto Wolf, sisters Ottis King, Lorraine Taylor, Nadine Rinehart, and Betty Bates. Casket bearers will be her six grandchildren. Visitation will be held Wednesday, October 30, 2024, from 3-7 PM with family present from 5-7 PM at Cornejo Funeral Home, 1030 Mission Road, Wellington, KS, 67152. Graveside Services and Interment will be held Thursday, October 31, 2024, at 10:00 AM at the Rose Hill Cemetery in South Haven KS. Memorials in her loving memory can be made to the South Haven Fair Association, PO Box 54, South Haven, KS 67140. Contributions can be mailed or left with the funeral home. Please share a memory, leave condolences, or sign her digital tribute wall atwww.cornejofuneralhome.com. Arrangements by Cornejo Funeral Home + Crematory, 1030 Mission Road, Wellington, Kansas.