Velda Joyce Walsh was born on October 14, 1936 in Harper, Kansas to Robert Paul and Laura Isabel (Mayberry) Hoover. Raised in Harper with her two sisters, she attended Harper Elementary and Harper High School, graduating with the class of 1954. Furthering her education, Velda obtained her business degree from Wichita Business College.

In July of 1956, Velda was united in marriage with Billy Arnold Potter in Harper at her parent's house. This union was blessed with three children: Miki, Cheri, and Jo. The girls were ages 4, 3, and 1 when Billy passed away on May 26, 1961 from brain cancer. Velda met James Edward Walsh and they were united in marriage, along with her three children, on March 10, 1963 in the Harper United Methodist Church. When all her children were in high school, Velda went to work at the Public Library in Milford, Connecticut. She worked there for over 23 years, retiring in 1997. Velda and Jim then moved back to Harper.

With her strong love for music, Velda was an excellent pianist and had a great singing voice. She loved playing both privately and in the public for different events and singing in a group. While still in high school, she won first place in the state piano competition. Velda remained a member of the Methodist Church for many years, enjoyed being a Rainbow Girl, and was her daughters' Junior Scout Leader. She also served as a Union Rep. at the Milford Public Library.

On April 12, 2017, Velda passed away at the Kansas Heart Hospital in Wichita, Kansas with family by her side at the age of 80 years old. She was preceded in death by her parents, Bob and Izzy; her first husband, Billy; and an infant grandson, Jonathan Smith. Left behind to cherish her memory are her husband, Jim of the home; daughters: Michele "Miki" Peirce of Augusta, Kansas, Cheryl "Cheri" Boyer and her husband, Ron of Augusta, Kansas, and Nancy "Jo" Smith and her husband, Don of North East, Pennsylvania; sisters: Gail Pearl and her husband, Lyle of Harper and Karen McDermeit and her husband, Clay of Albuquerque, New Mexico; 8 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild; several nieces and nephews; other relatives and many friends.

Cremation has taken place, but friends can register from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with family present for visitation from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Monday at the funeral home.

Memorial Service is 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 18, 2017 at Prairie Rose Funeral Home in Harper. A private family inurnment will take place at the Harper Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be given to the Harper Public Library and may be sent in care of the funeral home.

Prairie Rose Funeral Homes, 613 W. 14th ~ Harper, Kansas 67058 is in charge of the arrangements.