Velma G. (Brown) Shepherd

Velma Brown Shepherd passed away peacefully on October 29 in Cheyenne, WY.

She is survived by daughters, Kathryn and Nancy; son, Neil; sister, Ruth Brown McBride; and sister-in-law, Delia Shepherd Kalinski; Velma has six grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.

Velma was born May 19, 1917, in Huntley, Neb to Ola and FWN Brown and grew up there with four sisters and one brother.

She graduated high school and attended college to become a teacher.  Her first position was in Maywood, NE where she met Cecil L. Shepherd. They were married in December 1941 and were married for 51 years.

Cecil and Velma settled in Hastings, NE and when WWII ended, started their family.

Velma was an accomplished seamstress and made her children’s and her own clothes.  All were proud to wear the one-of-a-kind garments.  She was an excellent homemaker and baked cookies often, especially at Christmas time.

Cecil and Velma lived in Nebraska, Iowa, Colorado, California, Missouri and then back to Nebraska.  They had been to New York City, the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building.  One of her favorite places was Mt. Rushmore.

At each of her homes, she had beautiful flower gardens.  She loved to be outside and she walked nearly every day into her 90’s.

After Cecil passed away, she lived happily and independently for 20 years in her little house in Cheyenne.
Graveside services will be 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 10, 2015 at Riverview Cemetery in McCook with Pastor Arun Peters.

Carpenter Breland Funeral Home is in charge of local arrangements.