Verna A. Voss

Verna Atkinson Voss, 99, passed away Aug. 26, 2017, at KC Hospice House. Verna was born July 8, 1918, in Hammond, Ind., to Vern and Attie Ramsey Atkinson and grew up in the Hammond area. After high school graduation, she attended college and worked in Chicago.

Verna married William ‘Bill’ Voss April 26, 1941 in Hammond. While Bill served in Europe as an officer in the U.S. Army during World War II, Verna gave birth to their first child William. Daughter Barbara was born in Chicago before Verna and Bill moved in 1947 to Kansas City where son Richard was born. Bill completed a 38-year career as an attorney for Montgomery Ward as Verna raised their family.

Verna’s life was full of vitality and engagement. She and Bill were scouting leaders for their 3 kids. Always a competitor, she enjoyed bridge, golf, bowling and swimming. After retirement, she and Bill traveled the world, square-danced, skied, and remained active in numerous church activities at St. Peter’s United Church of Christ. When Bill died in 2005, Verna moved to Town Village (now Brookdale Leawood), where she made many new friendships, learned to play billiards and Wii bowling, and became an avid painter. A woman of many talents, she was a fine homemaker, seamstress, cook and hostess. She was an exceptional mother, grandmother and great grandmother to an extraordinary extended family.

Verna was preceded in death by her loving husband Bill Voss, her devoted son William Arthur Voss, and her precious granddaughter Amanda Burkart. She is survived by her sister Helen Wiebers and husband Herm of Lincoln, Nebraska; daughter Barbara Burkart and husband John (grandchild Jackson & wife Kimberly); son Richard Voss and wife Elaine (grandchildren Jason, Duncan, Rachel & husband Stefan); young Bill’s widow Jean Buchli and her husband Jim (grandchildren Jenni & husband Anthony, great-grandson William; Jimmy & wife Denise); and German “son” Michael Hug (“adopted” as a foreign exchange student in 1961), wife Dorothee and family. She is also survived by several devoted nieces and nephews.

Saturday, September 2, visitation will be 12-1:00 pm, at Mt. Moriah, Newcomer & Freeman Funeral Home, 10507 Holmes Rd, followed by her funeral service at 1pm. and burial in Mt. Moriah Cemetery. The family requests donations to a favorite charity, in lieu of flowers.