Velma Darlene Dunham Geist, 91, of Hutchinson, died August 10, 2020, at Good Samaritan Society, Hutchinson Village. She was born February 7, 1929, in Hutchinson, to George O. and Edith I. (Cowles) Beale.
Velma graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1947, where she enjoyed playing sports, such as ping pong, basketball and volleyball. Velma attended Hutchinson Community College, studying business and singing and performing in the school musicals. She also participated in choirs in high school and college, as well as singing in her church for many years. Velma also learned to play the piano in high school.
High school friends created a coffee group called the Heckling Hens, and she enjoyed continued friendships with them. She was also a member of a dinner group that included women who used to work for Sears, where she worked for many years, before retiring in 1991. Velma originally started working at Sears when the store was located on Main Street, where she was the telephone operator, using the old style plug-in switchboard.
Velma was a lifelong member of First United Methodist Church, Hutchinson, and enjoyed reading, singing and watching game shows on television.
In 1948, she married Lee D. Dunham, in Hutchinson, while he was serving in the United States Navy. They moved and lived in Davenport, IA, and Kellogg, MN, before returning to Hutchinson. He died December 6, 1970.
On November 14, 1987, Velma married Robert D. ‘Bob’ Geist, in Hutchinson. He died January 13, 2017.
She is survived by children, Terry (Judy) Dunham, Scottsdale, AZ, Tim (Cheryl) Dunham, Lawrence, Connie Bossemeyer, Salina, Neil (Theresa) Dunham, Topeka; grandchildren, Amber (Matt) Peterson, Erica and Carley Bossemeyer, Cindy (Gabe) Jacobson, Kyle Dunham, Cole (Chelsey) Dunham; great-grandchildren, Adelynn and Logan Peterson, Daxton Tyner, Evan Leach, Presley and Emma Jacobson; siblings, Helen Gregg, Wichita, Larry Beale, Winfield; sister-in-law, Barbara Johnson, Hutchinson; stepsons, Ken (Mary) Geist, McPherson, Keith (Lorna) Geist, Bel Aire, Larry Geist, Hutchinson, Bill (Donna) Geist, Sterling, and their families; many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Velma was preceded in death by her parents; grandson, Taylor Dunham; and brother, Richard Beale.
Funeral service will be 1 p.m. Saturday, August 15, 2020, at First United Methodist Church, 101 E. 1st Ave., Hutchinson, with the Reverend Mic McGuire officiating. Burial will follow in Fairlawn Burial Park. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday at Elliott Mortuary.
Memorials are suggested to the church, Good Samaritan Society or Kindred Hospice, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.