Veva Navrat
Veva Lucile Howell was born Oct. 10, 1910, the second oldest child and the second daughter of Melvin Lycurgis and Bessie Ann (Barnes) Howell near Burrton. Another sister and two brothers arrived later. Veva attended rural grade school and then Burrton High School, graduating in 1928. She received two years of business and secretarial training at Salt City Business School in Hutchinson while sharing a house with four other young working women who remained friends for life.
She married Edward W. Navrat on July 6, 1932. They moved in with his mother near Lincolnville where they farmed for two years then moved to Marion in 1934. They were married a total of 58 years and had two children, Kay Ann, born in 1938, and Dennis Edward, born in 1942.
Veva was a member of the Marion Presbyterian Church and was treasurer with Presbyterian Women for numerous years. She was a member of Eastern Star. She participated in community organizations in Marion that supported youth athletics and education, and enjoyed square dancing for many years. Veva was a talented and accomplished China painter and created dozens of beautiful, well-crafted, hand-painted plates, wall hangings, vases, and tea sets that are treasured by family and friends.
Veva loved flowers and planted beautiful flower gardens where she often would cut various flowers and design lovely bouquets for her home. She was an expert in raising African violets and for years kept tables full of various species that she gave to friends. Her real passion in life was her children and grandchildren and she loved to sew clothes for her daughter and her two granddaughters and for their many dolls. Her family will agree that she was among the best cooks in the world, especially with catfish. Christmas was celebrated at her house most years and there are now several generations that treasure those memories made every year by a growing family being together in her home.
In 2003, at the age of 93, she gave up living in her own home and moved to St. Luke Living Center in Marion. She died on Nov. 25, 2009, at the age of 99 in the company of family members.
She is survived by her daughter, Kay Ann Navrat, Santa Fe, N.M.; a son and daughter-in-law, Dennis Edward and Sue (Summervill) Navrat, Vermillion, S.D.; a brother-in-law Nyle Heller, and sister-in-law Margie Howell both of Hutchinson, KS; five grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Edward, on May 12, 1990; two sisters, Vivian Armour and Ruth Heller; and two brothers, Dan Howell and Melvin Howell.
Services were held Sunday, Nov. 29, at the Marion Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Jeremiah Lange officiating. Pallbearers were David Riffel, Carlton “Corky” Heller, Neal Navrat, Ryan Navrat, Kristin (Navrat) Lillestol, and Mick Summervill.
Honorary pallbearers were Margie Howell, Steve Howell, Jane (Howell) Easter, Nyle Heller, Jon Heller, Cheri (Heller) Urban, Rebecca (Riffel) Prince, Barry Prince, Michelle (Kittelson) Navrat, Robert Navrat, and Fred Housman.
Burial was at Marion Cemetery. Memorials may be made to St. Luke Living Center and Marion Presbyterian Church.