Velma I. Vanatta, age 96 of Columbus, KS passed away Thursday April 6, 2006 at the Autumn Place in Columbus, KS after an illness.

She was born May 17, 1909 at Melrose, KS the daughter of Thomas E. and Beulah (Clawson) Lammey. She grew up and attended school in Melrose, KS and graduated from Cherokee County Community High School in Columbus, KS.

She married Luther Vanatta March 1934 in Oswego, KS. He preceded her in death On July 13, 1982.

Memberships include Melrose Methodist Church in Melrose, KS, the Rebekka Lodge and the Senior Citizens Group in Columbus, KS.

Survivors include — One son C.L. Vanatta of Columbus, KS; one step son Dale Harrold of Chetopa, KS; five grandchildren, three step grandchildren; eight great grandchildren, six step great grandchildren; three great-great grandchildren, one step great great grandchild.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, one daughter Donna Fry in 2001 and one brother and one sister.

Funeral Services will be 10 a.m. Monday April 10, 2006 at the Melrose Methodist Church in Melrose, KS with the Pastor Wayne Handle officiating. Burial will be in the Fairview Cemetery, rural Chetopa, KS.