Person:Veronica Smith (1)

Veronica Claunch - written in 1998 Veronica was born on February 7, 1913 in Topeka, Kansas. She was the 9th child born in a family of 10. She said her father was strict, but kind. If he found "gambling cards" (regular decks of cards) he would throw them in the wood burning stove. She attended Topeka Schools, through high school, living most of her senior year with her sister Vera and her husband. Her first job was at Penny's after she graduated from high school. She also worked for Yellow Freight where she punched cards, microfilmed records and proofread them. Veronica married Virgil Eugene Coulson, September 6, 1932, in sister Vera's home in Topeka, KS. After 13 years of marriage, they were divorced. She remained close friends with her mother-in-law. Veronica and Velma moved to an apartment near Westport (Westport Arms?) and lived there until 1946, and they both went to work for Southwestern Bell Telephone. Veronica started working for Bell Telephone in 1943 worked for them off and on in the following years. She sold yellow pages ads over the phone. She was very successful at her job and made many friends at the Telephone Company. She started there in 1943, got 5 year pin, retired then went back - working different times, 4 years and 3 years each time. Veronica met Orville Alva Claunch at a New Year's Eve Party at Union Station in Kansas City, after WWII. She said he had to learn how to dance before she would marry him. They were married May 8, 1946. Veronica has remained closed to high school friend Irene (Sylvia & Amel?)Tew. They have been friends since they were 16 years old. Orville was recruited by Proctor and Gamble to play on their softball team and to work for their company. He worked 37 years for Proctor and Gamble. Orville was a lifetime Shriner. He graduated from KU and played all sports. He and Veronica often attended football games, paying just $1 because he lettered in football. Life wasn't easy living with Orville, he was diagnosed as Manic Depressive. Thirty out of the forty years they were married he had many bouts of depression and hospitalizations. In 1953 Orville and Veronica built a new home on a ½ acres lot, in the city of Countryside. She still resides there. Their 1964 Oldsmobile is still in the garage. The year they moved in Orville was elected president of the neighborhood association and Veronica, along with neighbors, started a garden club. Veronica never had a washer or dryer. Orville died in May of 1986 leaving Veronica to live out her life alone in her Countryside home. In 1956 Veronica was diagnosed with Meniera(?) Disease, an inner ear, nerve deafness. It causes a constant noise and makes hearing very difficult. In 1982 she quit smoking. Veronica had part of her lung removed after cancer was found in January 1987. After 4 surgeries on her eyes, in Oct of 1987 she went through a lens transplant, she refers to it as her "rainbow surgery!!" She hasn't had to wear glasses since then. In 1988 ulcers were found in her stomach. In 1990 she had a major bout with Shingles. Jeff and Eve Lutz and their two children, Brian and Kristen have been Veronica's angels. They have cared for her, when she's needed help, far beyond just being neighborly. She considers them to be her family. Helen Millett, Veronica's sister-in-law has stayed closed to Veronica too. (Son Jackson Millett paints pictures). Audry Carver made the baby doll that Veronica treasures so much. Her husband Kenny worked with Orville. She considers Bruce, her pharmacist, to be a good friend too.

1. ↑ Obituary - Kansas City Star on 2/3/2003.
   Veronica S. Claunch
   Veronica S. Claunch, 89 of Countryside, Kansas died February 2, 2003 at the Overland Park Manor. Private burial in Johnson County Memorial Gardens. Veronica was born February 7, 1913 in Topeka, Kansas, to Eugene and Mary Smith. Veronica goes now to be with her husband, Orville. (Arr: D.W. Newcomer's Sons Johnson County Funeral Chapel, 11200 Metcalf. 913-451-1860)