Cover photo for Velma Viola Vaughn's Obituary
Velma Viola Vaughn Profile Photo

Velma Viola Vaughn

d. November 10, 2021

Velma Viola (Conger) Vaughn, 89, a 75-year resident of Baldwin City and Lawrence, KS, passed away on Wednesday, November 10, 2021, at her home in Gresham, OR.

Velma was born on January 12, 1932, in Des Moines, IA, the daughter of James Edward and Verna Armada (Raham) Conger.

Preceded in death by her husband, Winfred Leroy (Toots) Vaughn on May 28, 1991, her parents James and Verna Conger, her sister Irma Else and husband William, and brothers Orville and Vern Conger, and her son-in-law Dale Creed.

Survivors include her daughter’s Coleen M. Creed, Lawrence, KS, and Connie S. Reineccius (Robert), Gresham, OR, her three grandchildren, Mary Creed, David Creed (Erica), Lawrence, KS, and Kristen Muse, Gresham, OR, and two sister’s-in-laws, Ulala Conger, Fairfield, IA and Linda Conger, Modesto, CA.

Velma married, Toots, the love of her life, on June 19, 1949, at age 17. She stepped into the role of a farmer’s wife, a life in which she was very well suited and did it with beauty, dignity, ease, and grace. For several years after their daughter, Coleen, was born, she was an Army wife, and then back to the farm, later to become a ranch manager’s wife. She was heavily involved with the Douglas County Extension Office, and the Worden Workers 4-H Club (she was the cooking leader for decades). Velma was such an excellent cook, she worked as the Head Cook at Marion Spring Elementary School for 14-years, a job she loved as much as she loved the students and staff. Velma completed one of her biggest goals by completing her GED in June 1988. Seven-years after Toots passed, Velma left farm life behind and moved to an apartment “in town.” She worked in the Prairie Common’s complex library for more than 10 years, which was a natural fit for her since reading was her biggest passion. Velma had just moved to Gresham, OR in August 2021, to live with her youngest daughter. She spent her time bird and squirrel watching, talking to the friendly hummingbirds, playing with the kitties, and watching old westerns and BBC comedies on the television with the family.

The greatest joys in her life where her two daughters. She was so proud of the women they became and their careers. Coleen retired from teaching middle school in 2017 and Connie retired as a Master Sergeant from the United States Air Force Reserve in 2002 and then the Department of Defense as a Civilian in 2010. She was also immensely proud of how they loved and raised their children. Her three grandchildren were always her pride and joy and she bragged on them all the time.

Per Velma’s wishes, there will be no viewing or church service, only a private graveside service will be held at the Worden Cemetery, Baldwin City, KS, date to be determined.

In lieu of flowers, Velma asked that memorial contributions be made in her name to the Douglas County Visiting Nurses Association and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Velma Viola Vaughn, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Guestbook

Visits: 0

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors