GREAT BEND – Velma Kay Fitzgerald Johansen, 72, died Sept. 21, 2013 at Cherry Village Nursing Home, Great Bend.
She was born March 5, 1941 at North Platte, Neb., the daughter of Clarence and Doris (Wilsey) Johansen.
She married Carson Fitzgerald Aug. 14, 1961 at Hastings, Neb. They later divorced. She was a registered nurse, working with the residents at Cherry Village her entire career. Velma was a Great Bend resident since 1983, coming from Albion, Neb. She was a member of the Church of Christ, Great Bend.
Survivors include her mother, Doris Johansen, Great Bend; two sons, David Fitzgerald and his wife Alisha, Albuquerque, N.M.; John Fitzgerald and his wife his wife Tamye, Byron, Ga.; a daughter, Diane Poppe and her husband Dan, Central City, Neb.; two sisters, Pam Lewis,  Great Bend; and Carol Fingerette and her husband Bob, Hastings, Neb.; her former husband, Carson Fitzgerald and his wife Barb, Kearney, Neb.; brothers-in-law, Cecil Fitzgerald and his wife Ina, Hot Springs, Ark.; and Roger Fitzgerald and his wife Kitty, Rockaway Beach, Ore.; and eight grandchildren, Christian Fitzgerald, Mason Fitzgerald, Kate Fitzgerald, Noah Fitzgerald, Amy Lange and her husband Christopher; Kyle Poppe, Dana Poppe and Joel Poppe.
She was preceded in death by her father and a brother-in-law, Chuck Lewis; her father and mother-in-law, Earl and Gladys Fitzgerald; and a niece, Sandra Fitzgerald.
A Memorial Service is scheduled at 10 a.m. Thursday at Church of Christ in Great Bend with Officiant Chuck Marshall. Inurnment will be at  Floral Lawns Memorial Gardens, North Platte, Neb. at 11 a.m. Friday. There will be visitation as cremation has taken place. Memorial Funds are suggested to the Church of Christ, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.
Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net.

Funeral arrangements provided by
Bryant Funeral Home *
1425 Patton Road
Great Bend, KS, 67530
Great Bend (Kan) Tribune, Sept. 22, 2013