Velda Mae Staley-Higgins
1928 - 2021
Velda Mae (Gillispie) Staley-Higgins died on Saturday,
December 11, 2021 at Kansas Christian Home, Newton, Kansas.
Velda was born on May 17, 1928 to Delbert and Fairy
Gillispie in LaGrange, Wyoming. Velda married Galen Staley on April 26, 1947 in
Auburn, Nebraska. They had 3 sons, Dennis, Rodney and Kevin. Galen passed away
on May 28, 1995. Velda married Berle Higgins on February 12, 2002 in Newton,
Kansas. He passed away on July 26, 2019.
Velda was preceded in death by her parents, Delbert and
Fairy Gillispie, her first husband Galen, her second husband Berle, her
brothers, Harvey, William, James, Cecil Ray Gillispie and a sister, Barbara
Higgins; and a son Dennis Staley.
She is survived by her sons Rodney and Nancy Staley, Mesa,
Arizona, Kevin and Angie Staley, Newton, her step children, Paula and Les Schulz,
Lincoln, Nebraska, Rick and Cheryl Higgins, Pierce, Nebraska, Todd and
Christine Higgins, Omaha, Nebraska, Lori and Clark Smith of Columbus, Nebraska,
Scott and Marla Higgins, Lincoln, Nebraska and Kirk and Kathy Higgins,
Bennington, Nebraska; 4 grandchildren, 5 great- grandchildren, 12 step
grandchildren, 16 step great-grandchildren, sister-in-law, Audrey Stucky and
many nieces and nephews.
Funeral service will be 2:00 p.m., Friday, December 17, 2021
at Petersen Funeral Home with The Reverend Dr. Gary Blaine presiding.
Visitation will be 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday with the family receiving friends
from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will follow in the
Wildmead Cemetery in Nickerson, Kansas.
Memorials may be made to Good Shepherd Hospice and left with
Petersen Funeral Home.
