GARDEN CITY—Anna May (Sonnenberg) Velev, 84, died on Friday, June 30, 2023, at The Ranch House in Garden City. She was born on Aug. 30, 1938, in Wilsey, the daughter of Clifford C. and May (Vorse) Husband.
She married Eugene Sonnenberg on May 26, 1957. He died on Aug. 6, 1982. She later married Dr. Velitchko “Doc” Velev on March 13, 1983, in Garden City. He died on Feb. 14, 1995.
Anna May loved motorcycling and owned her own Harley Davidson Sportster, which she rode alongside her husband, and her children frequently rode along! She was affectionately known by her Girl Scouts as “Harley Mom."
Anna May and her husband Velitchko embraced a love of travel. She visited all 50 United States and many foreign countries, including a 12-country European tour, many Mediterranean countries, Bulgaria, Sweden, Guam and others.
Anna May has been employed by Southwestern Bell Telephone as an operator, Pulliam Upholstery as a seamstress, YMCA as a receptionist, USD 457 school bus driver, and the city of Garden City administration receptionist.
Anna May’s many attributes were her kindness and generosity. She did not know a stranger and helped those in need. She blessed many lives through her time and thoughtfulness: A lifetime member and deaconess of the Church of The Brethren where she also served many funeral dinners.
She was a lifetime member of Girl Scouts of America where she was active for over 25 years with her daughters. A member of all her children's PTA, Eagles Lodge, supervising judge of elections and over 10 years as a National Red Cross disaster response volunteer where she was on location for Hurricanes Katrina and Charley and others, tornado events including Greensburg and Lincoln, Neb., forest fires in California, and gave over 100 pints of blood. She also was active with the Friends of Lee Richardson Zoo, RSVP at the Finney County Senior Center, Friends of Finney County Game Refuge and was a Master Gardner. Physically active her whole life she never sat still, a runner in her younger days, and an avid walker in mid and later life. Her quilts and delicate handwork are a treasure to many and to all of her children and grands, and greats are wrapped in her love and hand-crocheted blankets at birth and at marriage.
But most of all she felt her greatest achievement was her family:
She is survived by her son- Clifford and Cheryl Sonnenberg of Fritch, Texas, two daughters- Rhonda and Bill Stubbs of Lawrence, Elena and Clay Billings of Garden City, brother- Robert and Brenda Husband of Garden City, grandchildren- Steven and Amber Sonnenberg of Garden City, Scott and Mekayla Sonnenberg of Garden City, Michael and Stephanie Stubbs of Kansas City, Mo., Timothy and Selene Stubbs of Royce City, Texas, David Stubbs of Lawrence, and Sofie Billings of Garden City. Great-grandchildren- Isaac, Ronan and Reagan Sonnenberg, Casey, Rafe and Jesse Sonnenberg, Daniel and Hannah Hayes (Stubbs), and Jeremiah and Laviniah Stubbs.
Celebration of Life will be at 2 p.m. Thursday July 6 at Church of The Brethren with Von Hunn officiating. Burial will follow at Valley View Cemetery in Garden City. Friends may call from noon to 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 5 at Garnand Funeral Home.
Memorials are suggested to Friends of Lee Richardson Zoo or Finney County Senior Center RSVP Program in care of Garnand Funeral Home. Condolences may be posted at wwwgarnandfuneralhomes.com.