Berdena Ruth (Veatch) Whisman, of Palco, KS, passed away on January 8, 2023, at her home in Palco, at the age of 92. She was born on March 24, 1930, to Cletus and Lucy (Coddington) Veatch in Hays, KS. She married George D. Whisman on May 27, 1948. They were blessed with three children: Carol, Nancy, and Daren.
Berdena attended the North Amboy School southwest of Palco and graduated from Palco High School in 1947. After her marriage to George, they moved to Trego Center until 1954 when they settled on what is now the family farm north of Palco. Along with raising three children, she also earned her teaching degree from Fort Hays State University. After milking the cows every morning, she would carpool to Hays for classes every day. She began her teaching career at the stone schoolhouse southeast of Palco, later settling in the 5th grade at Palco Elementary School. She taught for 30 years and continued substitute teaching until the early 2000s.
Aside from teaching, Berdena had a passion for painting and quilting. She entered many art and quilt shows around the country earning awards for many of her pieces. She was a member of the Palco Art Club, EHU, and many other clubs. Her latest accomplishment was entering the ROAR art exhibit in Russell and earning honorable mention on two pieces.
Berdena also had an athletic streak. She was known for her mean pitching arm, even breaking the garage siding while playing with the family. You could also find her holding a grandchild or great-grandchild and reading a book. As time went on, she supported their music endeavors putting on many miles hauling kids and instruments for lessons or to Carol and Nancy’s band classes, regardless of the location!
Berdena is survived by her daughter, Nancy Beyea; daughter-in-law, Leola Whisman; five grandchildren: Blake Beyea (Emily), Greggory Whisman and family, Geoffrey Whisman (Cammie) and family, Galen Whisman, and Nadia Beyea and family; and six great-grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Cletus and Lucy Veatch; husband, George Whisman; son, Daren Whisman; and daughter, Carol Whisman; two brothers, Galen and Gerrell Veatch; and sister, Esther Printz.
A Funeral Service will be held at 10:30AM Saturday, January 14, 2023, at the United Methodist Church in Palco. Burial will follow at the Pleasant View Cemetery near Palco. Visitation will be on Friday, 2PM – 8PM with family receiving friends from 6:00PM - 8:00 PM at the funeral home in Plainville.
Memorials are suggested to Berdena Whisman Arts Fund and may be sent to Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, 320 SW 2nd St, Plainville, KS 67663.