Larned - Velda Irene Ashworth, 96 passed away peacefully in her sleep October 29, 2010 at the Larned Health Care Center, Larned.

She was born February 26, 1914 on a farm north of Lewis, the daughter of Robinson James and Myrtle Bell Ary Abrams. She graduated from Lewis High School in 1933, and married Myrl Kenneth Ashworth November 28, 1933 in Lyons. They lived and farmed in the Valley Center Community north of Macksville and celebrated 51 years of marriage before Myrl's death October 31, 1985. Velda continued living on the family farm for 74 years before moving to Larned in January, 2007. She also worked at the Larned State Hospital for 17 years, retiring in 1976 as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor. She was a member of the Macksville Christian Church, and well-known in the Macksville community for her ceramics and homemade cinnamon rolls.

Survivors include: 2 sons; Robert and wife Dedria, Arlington and Ronald and wife Retha, Larned, three daughters; Jeanne Hawk and husband Robert, Hutchinson, Janice Murphy and husband Robert, and Nancy Douglas, both of Larned, eight grandchildren; twenty great-grandchildren and seven great great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by: her husband; a son, Richard; her parents; six sisters; Pearl Vedder, Lottie LoVette, Maxine Zimmerman, Florence Henry, Marietta Stuckenbroker, Wanita Burns; a grandson Mark Murphy, great-granddaughter, Kariane Murphy and a great great-grandson Jerryd Washington.

Funeral will be at 2:00 p.m. Monday at the Macksville Christian Church, with Pastor Derek Brown and Pastor Carey Haner presiding. Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Saturday and 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Sunday at the Beckwith Mortuary Chapel, Larned. Burial will be in the Larned Cemetery.
Family suggests memorials to the Macksville Christian Church or the South Wind Hospice, both in care of the Beckwith Mortuary, P.O. Box 477, Larned, KS 67550. Personal condolences may be left for the family at www.beckwithmortuary.com.