Velma Rose(Doolittle) Burgard

Velma Rose Burgard, age 101, of Atchison, Ks, formerly of Topeka, passed away on Sunday, February 3, 2013 at Gran Villas in Atchison. She was born December 21, 1911 in Portis, Osborne County, Kansas, the daughter of James Doolittle and Edna May Snyder. She spent her early years in Portis and moved to Topeka in the late 1920's graduating from Topeka High School in 1929. She & Virgil Burgard were married July 18,1931in Topeka. They shared over 64 years together until he preceded her in death on September 9, 1995. Velma was a member of Highland Park United Methodist Church and had been an active member in women's groups. She worked for a time at the State of Kansas Dept. of Revenue and Jenkins Music Company. She took music appreciation classes and then continued to teach herself to play the piano. She loved all of nature and was a past member of Kansas Wildflower Association and the Audubon Society. She was also a member of the Artist's Association of Topeka, exhibiting and displaying her oil and pastel art work from time to time. She had many talents and could do every type of hand work and did it extremely well. She was an avid reader and especially loved Kansas history. Survivors include a son, Richard (Ann) Burgard, Albuquerque, New Mexico, a daughter, Winifred (Robert) Hall, Effingham, Ks. one grandson, Gregg (Brenda) Burgard, New Mexico, three granddaughters, Debbie (David) Wessell, Linda (Larry) Tovrea, New Mexico, Cyreesa (Mark) Windsor, Atchison, Ks., three great-granddaughters, Averie (John) Windsor Chapman, Fairway, Ks., Michelle Stegmann of West Allis, Wi. , Nichole Stegmann, of Queen Creek, AZ, four great-grandsons, Cameron and Jordon Burgard, Adam Tovrea, Kris Wessell, all of New Mexico, two great-great grandchildren, Miller & Reese Chapman of Fairway, Ks. She also leaves dear friends, Margaret & Ken Boughton of Topeka, Linda and Dennis Rice of Manhattan, Ks, and Janice O'Toole of Utica, Ks. Velma was preceded in death by her parents, a granddaughter Cynthia Burgard Devitt, two brothers, Carl and Charles Doolittle and her sister, Ruth Doolittle Woolsey. Honoring her request, Velma was cremated. A private family ceremony and entombment will be in the Mt. Hope Mausoleum, Topeka. Memorial contributions may be made to Highland Park United Methodist Church, Music Endowment Fund, 2914 SE Michigan, Topeka, KS 66605. Penwell-Gabel Mid-Town Chapel, Topeka, is in charge of arrangements.

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