Vera Neal

Vera D. Neal age 93 of Osawatomie, passed away July 4th at the Life Care Center. Funeral Service will be Wednesday July 9th at 10:30 AM with visitation 10 AM at the Penwell-Gabel Paola Chapel 305 N. Pearl, Paola KS. Memorials may be made to USD#368 endowment. Graveside will be at 4 PM in Marysville Cemetery, Marysville Kansas. Vera was born June 24, 1915 in Home City, Kansas to Richard and Dora Krous Ruetti. Vera was one of three children. Her mother passed away when she was four so she was raised by her father. She started school at the age of 4, and within a short time Vera knew she wanted to give the gift of education in honor of her mother. She taught full time and substituted for 60 years. She dedicated her life to educating others. She began teaching in Winifred Kansas, and also taught and substituted in the school districts of Reedsville, Bigelow, Scriber, Blue Rapids, Marysville, Frankfort, and Paola Kansas. Vera was united in marriage on December 24, 1936 to Robert Arthur Neal in St. Joseph Missouri. In January of 1941 she and her husband had a son and Vera stayed home to be a mother, until 1946 when she went back to teaching. She has received many awards and plaques for teaching over the years including Chosen Master Teacher, Friend of Education, and State Board Education Letter for 60 years of Service. She is a 50 year member of the Eastern Star, and held many local and state offices, also a 52 year member of the Honorary Teachers Sorority Delta Kappa Gamma. Vera also taught Sunday school and Bible School and substituted after retirement at local schools. Vera is preceded in death by her parents, husband, one sister, Marie Tusing, one brother, George Ruetti and one grandchild Art Neal. Survivors are her son Robert and wife Linda Neal of Paola, two grandchildren Allen Neal of Osawatomie and Shannon Morgan of Paola, 10 great grandchildren and 1 great grandson. She will be dearly missed by family and friends.