Vera S. Surface

Vera S. Surface, aged 97, of Wellsville, Kansas, passed away peacefully on May 26, 2024.  She was born on October 28, 1926, in Ottawa, Kansas.

Vera was the daughter of Leslie R. Sutherland and Mary Lorena Sutherland. She was also preceded in death by her twin sister, Myra Howell, brothers Bernard Sutherland and Lyle Sutherland, and her husband, Louie Surface.

Vera is survived by her daughters, Lori Williams (Gale) and Jill Weiland (Mike), as well as her grandson, Chris Weiland (Stacey), granddaughter Chelsea Weiland, great-grandsons Jack and James Weiland.

Vera was born and raised in Ottawa, Kansas. She later graduated from Ottawa University before marrying her first husband, Clyde (Jess) James and moving to Leawood, Kansas. Although she worked several clerical jobs throughout the years, her first priority was always her children. After raising her children as a single parent Vera married her second husband, Louie Surface with whom she shared her retirement years in Merriam, Kansas.

Music always played an important part of Vera's life. She was a charter member of the Kansas City Civic Orchestra and played the viola in the orchestra for forty years. She dutifully spent every Tuesday evening at "fiddle practice".  She also liked to quilt and taught her daughters to sew instilling them with a life-long love of all things craft.

Although Vera was shy and quiet by nature, she had a wide circle of friends and family. She always thought the best of people and lived by the maxim, "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all."

Known affectionately as "Grammy" to her grandchildren and "Grammy Great" by her great grandchildren, Vera cherished writing notes and letters back and forth with them and had them read to her after her vision declined. Her grandson Chris recalls fond memories of trips to the park where she patiently followed him around as he poked and played around the park's pond.  Vera had a deep faith in Jesus and continues her legacy of faith through her grandchildren.

Special thanks to Paula and Jerry Moore for the family support they provided and love for Vera during the last few years of her life.

May she rest in peace, surrounded by the love of those who hold her dear in their hearts.

A graveside service will be held at 11:00am, June 17, 2024 Highland Cemetery in Ottawa, Kansas, 1050 E 15th St, Ottawa, KS 66067.