Velma Lee (Romig) Thatcher was born on August 28, 1925 in Attica, Kansas, daughter of Benjamin Harry and Edna May (Giggy) Romig.  The family made their home in the Attica area and Velma went to school in Medicine Lodge, Kansas, where she enjoyed playing basketball.

After graduating high school, Velma worked as a waitress, which led to her meeting Clarence Thatcher.  The couple were married on August 28, 1948 in Wichita, Kansas.  They made their home in several places to include Russell, Kansas and then Garden City, Kansas as Clarence settled into a career in the oil field.  Velma worked for the school district as a cook.  During those years they enjoyed camping, boating, and fishing during vacations.  Most of their camping was in Colorado where they met and enjoyed other campers, who became lifelong friends.

Velma made beautiful needlepoint pictures, enjoyed working in the yard, and loved taking care of her cats.  After retirement, they moved to Lindsey, Oklahoma and then to Anthony, Kansas in 1996.  With the loss of her husband on January 27, 2017, Velma moved into Anthony Community Care Center.  She truly loved the staff who took excellent care of her.  She was even given a baby kitten to take care of.  Sprinkles is still a resident and was with Velma the whole time.

Preceding Velma in death are her parents, Ben and Edna Romig; husband; brothers, Harold and Howard Romig; sisters, Veda Rogers and Doris Hess; and granddaughter, Jacque Montelongo.  She is survived by her sister, Mary Jones; stepdaughter, Jerri Hoffine; granddaughter, Jonna Hoffine; and several nieces and nephews.

Cremation has taken place and no services will take place.  Velma will be inurned next to her husband at the Harper, Cemetery.

Prairie Rose Funeral Homes, 613 W 14th St ~ Harper, Kansas 67058