Obituary of Vi (Gallentine) VanDerWege

IN LOVING MEMORY OF E. VIOLA VAN DER WEGE Emma Viola Van Der Wege, daughter of Anton H. and Sarea (Thoren) Anderson, was born November 7, 1921, at the family farm in Decatur County seven miles northeast of Oberlin, Kansas. She passed away July 18, 2013, at the Norton County Hospital in Norton, Kansas, at the age of 91. Vi grew up on the farm where she was born and attended the small Bethel country grade school and the Oberlin High School. Vi married W.J. "Bill" Menges in April of 1939. To this union three children were born, Gaylen Lee, Gary Dean, and Connie Lynn. They resided in Norcatur, Kansas, where the children attended school. In December of 1962, Vi married Jay C. Gallentine at the Methodist parsonage in Norcatur and they resided on the Gallentine farm five miles southwest of Norcatur. They adopted two sons, Randy Jay and Val Gene. In July of 1977, the family moved to Norton. On April 28, 2007, Vi married Veryl VanDerWege at the First United Methodist Church in Norton and they made their home on Timbercreek Road in Norton. Vi was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Norton. Her first priority was being involved with the UMW organization where she served many years on various committees. She was UMW president for a total of 10 years in Norcatur and Norton. She was the Hays District Spiritual Growth Coordinator for two years and served on Nominations for two years. Through the years Vi was involved with several community activities. She was a past member of Royal Neighbors Lodge, Mid-Century Club of Federation, Eagles Auxiliary, and the Senior Citizen Golden Glow Club where she served two years as president, four years as entertainment chairperson, and two years as treasurer. Vi was a volunteer hair dresser at the Andbe Home for many years which she enjoyed and called it her missionary mission. Her hobbies included counted cross stitch and music. She played in the Arvid Ross old timers band as a drummer and was a member of the Whatsits kitchen band and singing group. Vi later formed her own little group named Tri-Alls, entertaining in nursing homes in surrounding areas. Vi leaves to mourn her passing: husband, Veryl VanDerWege, of their home; daughter, Connie Lewis, Olathe, Kansas; son, Randy Gallentine, Pinetop, Arizona; daughter-in-law, Judy Menges, Colby, Kansas; sister-in-law, Sharon Beins, Wood River, Nebraska; six grandchildren, Brent Menges and Janel Andrews, both of Colby; Jennifer Reynolds, Overland Park, Kansas; Amy Yarkoni, Atlanta, Georgia; Candace Menges, Lee's Summit, Missouri; and Renee Menges, Peculiar, Missouri; several great-grandchildren; other relatives and friends. Preceding her in death were her parents, her husband, Jay Gallentine, three sons, Galyen and Gary Menges and Val Gallentine, one brother, Lee Anderson, four sisters, Lavina Worley, Mildred Snow, Ruby Roberts, and Ila Janousek and their spouses, sister-in-law, Idah Hoover, and other relatives. A memorial has been established to the United Methodist Women.