Velda Pearl Ragan

Velda was born in Palmyra, NE, on January 7th, 1936 to Neils "Pete" Anderson and Emma (Spath) Anderson. She loved to follow her Dad into town, therefore, acquired the nickname "Little Pete", which followed her through her lifetime. She loved caring for her special cows from the farm; Snowball, Roni, and Mike, a white persian cat named Mabel ( who had one blue eye, and one green), and many, many chickens.

She was married to James Warren Ragan on August 13th, 1955 and they had three children together; sons Gene, Doug, and Todd. She was also blessed to have shared her life with her second husband, Woody Boshart, and her third husband, Al Slama.

Velda worked at Gold's in Lincoln, NE, where she learned to bake her fabulous cinnamon rolls. She also worked at the Cornhusker Hotel and The Federal Building.

She was a church going lady and was given three pennies before church. She gave one to the Sunday school group, one to the church group, and the other she saved to go to town to buy a bag of peanuts.

Velda had a big love for music and owned a player piano and accordion of her own. She also was invited to the Grand Ole Opry where she was able to record two songs; "Love Me Tender", and "Your Cheatin' Heart". She loved Elvis Presley and was able to go to Graceland to see where he lived. She was able to travel the world and went to places like Athens, Greece and Hawaii, where she took a flight on a helicopter.

Velda was remembered for her amazing ability to cook and bake. She would make cinnamon rolls, cookies; many cookies for which she gave out to neighbors and friends. She made stuffed peppers and runzas as well. Ingredients she used for her talent came from another talent of hers, which was her love for gardening where she had strawberries, blueberries, rhubarb, and many other fruits and vegetables. Her favorite food was oyster soup and her son, Gene, fondly remembers her storing several cans of oysters in their pantry.

She loved pets and especially poodles, to which she had three of them named; Fifi, Butcher, and Penny. She also had the love of her sweet little Bichon named Maggie.

Velda is survived by her sons; Doug (Sharon) Ragan, Kimball, NE., Gene Ragan( Her special caregiver for ten years), Lincoln, NE., and Todd Ragan, Lincoln, NE., Sisters; Fran Kirchhoff, Sarasota, Florida, and Arlene Rodaway, Kingsland, Texas. Grandchild; Katherine ( A.J) Roberts. Great Grandchildren; Bethany, Addie, and Christopher.

She was preceded in death by; Husband; James Warren Ragan.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, July 18th at 10:00 am at Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home, 6800 S 14th St., Lincoln, NE 68512. Memorials are in the care of the family for future designation.