Velma Louise Underwood,83, of Russell, Kansas, died on Wednesday, Marych 07, 2018, at the Russell Regional Hospital in Russell, Kansas.

Velma was born on December 07, 1934, in Sumner County, Kansas, the daughter of Paul D. and Viola Velma (Hutchins) Myers.  She grew up in the Winfield and Tribune areas and graduated from Southwester High School in Waxahachie, Texas.  After high school she attended college at Ft. Hays State University in Hays Kansas.  She met, fell in love and was united in marriage to Lowell Patrick Underwood on September 03, 1951, in Tribune, Kansas.  From this union Velma and Pat were blessed with 3 sons Ron, Randal and Rick.  The family located to Russell, Kansas, and has made Russell their home for 57 years.  Velma worked as a controller and office manager of Bella Vista Motor Homes then worked as the Executive Director of Lincoln Manor and Parkside Manor both in Russell.  She was a longtime member and very active with Otterbein United Methodist Church.  She enjoyed traveling and writing poetry with some of her poems having been published.  Most of all she enjoyed being a wife, mother and homemaker and loved raising her children and grandchildren.

Surviving family include her husband Lowell "Pat" of 66 years of the home, son Rick Underwood and wife Sherri of Gorham, Kansas; daughter in-law Nancy Underwood Schmitt; brother Paul E. Myers of Tribune, Kansas; sister Paula Davis and husband Scott of Los Lunas, New Mexico; grandchildren Alex, Seth and Kelcie Underwood and Tisha Rein Coffelt and 2 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sons Ron and Randal Underwood; 2 sisters Virginia Martin and Clorene Stone.

A memorial service to celebrate Velma's life will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Thursday, March 15, 2018 at the Otterbein United Methodist Church in Russell, Kansas with Pastor Michael Eurit officiating.  Cremation has been selected by the family and inurnment will follow the services at the Russell City Cemetery.  Visitation will be 9 A.M. to 8 P.M. on Wednesday, March 14, 2018 at the mortuary with family to greet guests from 6 P.M. to 7 P.M. Wednesday evening.  Memorials may be given to the KU Med Center Alzheimer's Unit and sent in care of the mortuary.  Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.