PRATT – Velma Margaret Meireis, 97, passed away Saturday, April 23, 2016. She enjoyed a full and vibrant life with her family and friends. During the last stage of her life she was lovingly taken care of by her friends and family at the Pratt Regional Rehabilitation Center.
She was born Jan. 14, 1919, to LaVina B. (Haines) Long and Chester Long. In 1937, she graduated from Preston High School. She started her career at the Preston Coop moving to Moscow Coop and retiring from the Radium Coop in 2002 at the age of 83.
On Oct. 9, 1938, she married Willard E. Meireis. They celebrated 36 wonderful years of marriage when he passed away on Oct. 2, 1975. She and Willlard had one son, Warren (Adonis), who they loved with all of their hearts.
Mrs. Meireis was a member of the United Methodist Church in Pratt and also had volunteered at the Historical Museum.
She is survived by her son, Warren (Adonis) Meireis; three grandchildren, Connie (Leo) Delperdang of Wichita, Greg (Terry) Meireis of Preston, and Kyle (Stacey) Meireis of Kingman; seven great-grandsons, Will (Emily), Cody, Nicholas, Cade, Corbin, Blaine, and Kory; one great-great grandson, Holden; and multiple nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father, Chester Long; mother, LaVina B. (Haines) Long; sisters, Retta Detwiler and Garnett (Norman) Schwertfeger; and cherished husband, Willard.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday at Larrison Mortuary with Pastor Steve Taylor officiating. Friends and family well be greeted after the service in the family visitation area of the funeral home. A private family burial will be held at Stafford Cemetery where she will be laid to rest beside her husband. Visitation will be held from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to PRRC (Pratt Rehabilitation and Residence Center) in care of the mortuary. Condolences may be left at www.larrisonmortuary.com.
Funeral arrangements provided by
Larrison Mortuary*
300 County Club Road
Pratt, KS 67124
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, April 26, 2016
