Velma G. Hulsing, 93, of Seneca, Kansas, formerly of Kelly, died Sunday, April 28, 2013 at St. Luke’s Hospital in Overland Park, Kansas.

She was born September 4, 1919, in Toronto, South Dakota, the daughter of James and Hulda Erickson Stansell. When she was a young child the family moved to a farm south of Centralia where she attended Pleasant Hill School. The family then moved to Centralia, where she attended Centralia schools and graduated from Centralia High School in 1937. Velma worked for Horalek’s Clothing Store before and after high school until 1941. She had been a Girl Scout, a Girl Scout leader, and belonged to a young Christian youth group called the Epiworth League.

On October 28, 1941, she married Celestine B. “Sally” Hulsing at St. Mary’s Church in St. Benedict. They lived in Kelly. When “Sally” went into the service in 1942, Velma lived with her parents in Centralia. After her husband’s discharge, they bought the Ketter & Vondemkamp General Store in Kelly. They operated the Hulsing Store until April of 1979. Sally preceded her in death on July 30, 1981. Velma moved to Seneca in 1984 and in 1994 she bought a home. She worked part time at Huerter Office Supply in Seneca. In June of 2009 Velma moved to Rose Estates Assisted Living in Overland Park, Kansas.

She was a member of St. Bede’s Church in Kelly, where she served on the church council, held offices in the Altar Society, and quilted with the church ladies. She was also a member of the American Legion, VFW Auxiliary and the Nemaha Valley Community Hospital Guild.

She enjoyed visiting and playing cards with her friends. Velma did all sorts of handiwork, including making cloth dolls and winter bouquets, which she shared with her friends and relatives. She was a kind, thoughtful person often helping her friends and neighbors.

Survivors are a daughter, Kathleen (Dan) Reeves of Branson, Missouri, one brother, Richard Stansell of Independence, Missouri; two granddaughters, Kelly (Paul) Holmes of Overland Park and Kimberly (Luther) Berwald of Lee’s Summit, Missouri; and three great-grandchildren, Brock Holmes, Reagan Holmes and Chace Berwald.

Besides her husband Sally, she was preceded in death by two brothers; Vincent Stansell and James Stansell; and a sister Marlys Boeding.

A rosary will be prayed at 7 PM Thursday, May 2, at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11 AM Friday, May 3, at St. Bede’s Catholic Church in Kelly. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be given for St. Bede’s Cemetery.