Velma Etta Lohmann

Velma Etta Wood-Lohmann was born in Ottawa, Kansas on October 14, 1931 to parents, Ballard Cody Wood and Gladys Fern Bruner-Wood. She was the eldest to her 5 siblings: Dale, Terry, Arlie, Linda, and Stanley. She spent her childhood growing up on a dairy farm and graduated from the Williamsburg, Kansas High School. On May 4, 1950 in Ottawa, Kansas, she claims she “married the best looking man she had ever seen in military uniform”. John “Bud” David Lohmann was the love of her life and together they raised 7 children; twins, Diane & Debbie, Carolyn, Janie, Juanita, Pam, and David. Besides being a full-time mother, Velma held a few jobs in her lifetime. She was a secretary, a cook for the Cotton Valley School, drove a log truck, worked at Kopco, and shared the Do-Rite Paper Products Company with Bud. She was a very loving and devoted wife who supported her husband in the oilfield and throughout his entire Christian ministry. They enjoyed pheasant hunting in western Kansas, going on family vacations with their kids, camping at Hulah Lake in Oklahoma, and spent many summer vacations at Taylor Park in Colorado. As a preacher’s wife and member of the Church of Christ, Velma had a heart of gold and was always willing to care for those in need. She was generous to others and then somehow found a way to make do with what was left. Oftentimes, she went without just so the rest of her family wouldn’t have to. She was a talented seamstress and made most of her children’s’ clothes, including their wedding dresses. She made photo album covers, crafted with seashells, and crocheted blankets for most of her children and grandchildren. She loved animals and had many pets over the years…dogs, cats, pigeons, and martin bird houses were installed wherever they lived. She also helped Bud breed Vizsla and Corgi dogs for a while. Gardening was a good hobby for Velma, as she loved flowers (carnations were her favorite) and canning vegetables. In her later years, she loved puzzles, watching western movies and the Wheel of Fortune, and enjoyed seeing the hummingbirds and squirrels outside the window. She enjoyed bluegrass and gospel music and loved the color blue. Velma took her place in God’s kingdom on a peaceful morning surrounded by family on June 15, 2024 at her home. Many will remember her as a kind and compassionate mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, and friend….and the calm quiet fact-checker to all of Bud’s long and loud stories. She loved God and her family and it shined through in everything she did. She is survived by her sister, Linda/Richard Ecord; brother, Stanley/Connie Wood; children: Diane/Jerry Peyton, Debbie/Chris Wittner, Carolyn Vannoster, Janie/Steve Morgan, Juanita Pinales, Pam/Gary Simpson, and David/Maria Lohmann; many nieces and nephews; 21 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren, and 30 great-great grandchildren. Those preceding her in death are her husband Bud Lohmann; parents, Ballard and Gladys Wood; brothers, Dale Wood, Terry Wood, and Arlie Wood; two son-in-laws, Jerry Moody and Donald Vannoster; grandson, Chad Robertson; and great-granddaughter, Lakota Robertson. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, 501 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Visitation will be from 10 am -8 pm Thursday, June 20 and the family will receive friends also on Thursday from 5-7 pm at Davis Family Funeral Home – Dewey Chapel, 113 S. Osage, Dewey, OK, 918-534-3030. In lieu of flowers memorials suggested to St. Jude’s. Funeral Service will be held 2 pm on Friday, June 21, at the Dewey Church of Christ. Graveside services will follow at Sunnyside Cemetery, Caney, KS. Online condolences and remembrances may be shared at www.DavisFamilyFuneralHome.com.

Velma Etta Lohmann

October 14, 1931 - June 15, 2024