Roberta A Vesely

Roberta Allene Vesely, 96, Topeka, passed away surrounded by her family Monday, October 12, 2009 at Saint Francis Health Center. She was born December 2, 1912 in Frankfort, Kansas to Judge Michael J. Welsh and Rebecca Jane “Jennie” McConkie Welsh. She graduated from Frankfort High School in 1930. She then attended and graduated from Mary Mount College in Salina with a teaching degree. She taught for one year at the same country grade school that she and her siblings attended. Roberta was an avid reader, sometimes reading 2 or 3 books at one time, she especially loved to read books about Abraham Lincoln. After teaching school, she worked in various law offices as a legal stenographer. She worked for Attorney General Jay Sparker from 1939 to 1943, then moved to Los Angeles Ca. in 1944, where she remained for 6 months. Upon her return to Kansas, she worked as a federal civil service secretary under United States District Attorneys G. West and R. Carpenter. She then worked for Attorney General A.B. Mitchell and E. F. Arn, for the years 1945 until the fall of 1947. On October 17, 1947 she married Joseph Vesely and settled down on their farm in Blue Rapids Kansas. They moved to Topeka in 1957, where she began a career working for Attorney General W.M. Furguson in 1962. She remained in that office until retirement in 1973. She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph on August 17, 1997, just 2 months shy of their 50th wedding anniversary. Also preceding her in death were her parents and siblings, Lawrence, Lilas, Marvin, Madelyn and Robert. Roberta is survived by a son, Mike (Diane) of Topeka and three grandchildren; Lisa, Portland, OR, Daniel (Katie) and Darren of Topeka, and one great grandson Liam Vesely. A niece Charlene McCoy resides in Lincoln, NE. Rosary and visitation will be Friday October 16 from 6 to 8 pm at Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home, 2801 SW Urish Rd. Mass of Christian Burial will held 11:30am on Saturday at Most Pure Heart of Mary Church where Roberta was a member for 52 years. Burial will follow at Rochester Cemetery where she will be laid to rest beside her husband Joseph and grandson Mark Andrew. Memorial contributions may be made to the Capper Foundation.

Roberta A Vesely

December 2, 1912 - October 12, 2009