OTTAWA, Kan. – Verna Lee Rivera, 80, passed away Thursday, Aug. 10, 2023, at her home in Ottawa, Kan. She was born July 4, 1943, in O’Kean, Ark., the daughter of Oscar and Martha (Pritchett) Johnson.

Verna had grown up in Arkansas and had lived most of her adult life in Kansas.

Verna had worked as a seamstress for the H.D. Lee company, Ottawa, for more than 25 years until they closed. She then worked for Heartland Embroidery until her retirement.

Verna was married to Gale Wagoner. To this union three children were born, Raylene, Roy and Sherry. They divorced, but later remarried, and Verna took care of Gale while he battled cancer until his death Nov. 1, 2006. She later married George Rivera, but he preceded her in death shortly after they were married.

Verna was also preceded in death by her parents, Oscar and Martha; four brothers, Ronald Moore, Harold Moore, Jerry Johnson and Marvin Johnson; and a sister, Teresa McEntire.

Verna is survived by her three children, Raylene (Steve) Brecheisen, of Lyndon, Kan., Roy Wagoner (Sandra Gilliam), Ottawa, and Sherry (Bub) Cooper, Lincoln, Mo.; one brother, Hulen Moore, of Arkansas; three sisters, Lillie Marie Keifer, Mary Jane Leach and Sharon Kay Forrester, all of Arkansas; and nine grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 14, at the Woodlawn Cemetery, Pomona, Kan.

Memorial contributions can be made to St. Jude or Olathe Health Hospice Care, sent in care of Feltner Funeral Home, 818 Topeka Ave., Lyndon, KS 66451. Condolences can be left at feltnerfuneralhome.com.