Vel Ann (Velma) (Unruh) Koehn, 90, of Hutchinson, passed away June 4, 2017, at the Hutchinson Regional Medical Center. She was born August 24, 1926, in Montezuma, Kansas, to Simon and Mary (Koehn) Unruh. Vel Ann was joined in marriage to Cecil Wallace Koehn on May 9, 1943, at Lonetree Church, McPherson County, Kansas.

Vel Ann had several different careers in her lifetime, including a telephone switchboard operator at Southwestern Bell Telephone and at The Baker Hotel, where she met actors William Holden, Kim Novak, and Carl 'Alfalfa' Switzer, while filming 'Picnic'. She later became the owner and operator of her own answering service. For a number of years, she and her husband Cecil invited Hutchinson Junior College football players to lodge at their home during the school year, thus increasing their family by six each school year. In 1972, Vel Ann and Cecil made their home in Littleton, Colorado. Following retirement, she and Cecil settled in the San Louis Valley, Colorado. She loved to travel in their RV to Arizona and Texas, and especially to visit their family in Kansas.

Survivors include: son, Shannon Koehn and wife Lynda of Hutchinson; daughter, Constance Patz and husband Kevin of Green Bay, WI; grandchildren, Joshua Koehn and wife Kelly of Everett, WA, Jana Koehn of Kansas City, MO, Melissa Patz of Green Bay, WI; great-grandchildren, Josiah and Erin Koehn; brother, Roland Unruh and wife JoAnn of Lawrence; niece, Heidi Benham and husband Jonathon; and great-nephew, Noah Benham. She was preceded in death by: Cecil, her husband of 53 years; five brothers; and two sisters.

In pursuant of Vel Ann's wishes, her body was donated to the Kansas University of Medicine. Memorial service and celebration of her life will be 2 p.m. Friday, September 1, 2017, at Elliott Chapel, Hutchinson, with Pastor Matt Stafford officiating. Friends may sign the book from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today through Friday at Elliott Mortuary. Memorial contributions may be made to the Good Samaritan Fund at Wesley Towers, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501. Visit www.elliottmortuary.com to leave a personal condolence for Vel Ann's family.