Veda Jean Hixon was born December 1, 1927, east of Gem, Kansas on the family farm in Thomas County. Her parents were Thomas and Barbara (Shoffner) Hopper. Veda worked in the Traffic Department in Colby, Kansas as a telephone operator on September 12, 1945. During her service in the department, she held several titles pertaining to her work. She was a Central Office Clerk, Supervisor Over Operators, and Operator Instructor, and in 1970, she was promoted to management as a Group Chief Operator. In 1997, she was transferred in management to Chanute, Kansas due to the closing of the Traffic Department in Colby. After a little over a year, she was again transferred to Hutchinson, Kansas where she worked until retiring in 1981. In 1982, Veda moved to Hays, Kansas where she married Gerald Hixon on May 14, 1983. Gerald preceded her in death on August 21, 1997. Veda was preceded in death by both her parents, three brothers and four sisters. She is survived by numerous nephews and nieces including great-great and great-great-great. Graveside services will take place at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, June 30 th at the Gem Cemetery in Gem, Kansas. Memorials may be given to Hospice of Salina, 730 Holly Lane – Salina, KS 67401 Kersenbrock Funeral Chapel 745 S. Country Club Dr. - Colby, KS 67701 is in charge of arrangements Condolences: kersenbrockfuneralchapel.com