Vada LaVerne Whitehill, 94, of rural Cowley County, Latham, KS, peacefully passed away on December 12, 2016 at Lakepoint Nursing Home, Augusta, Kansas following some illnesses. She celebrated her birthday on May 16, which a sister clearly remembered; however, her birth certificate declared it to be May 15, 1922. Born in Dighton, KS, before the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl, and eight years after her next-youngest sibling, she was the fifth and final child of wheat farmers Obed and Eula Toadvine. Since 1985 the descendants of this couple have celebrated 11 very memorable "Toady" family reunions from California to Florida.

In high school, Vada enjoyed driving her friends around in a car. After high school, she wanted to be a G-woman, a (government) private detective. During the summer, however, a sister encouraged her to go into nurse's training. She moved to Hutchinson, KS, where she met her husband, Harvey Parnell Whitehill, who was stationed at Hutchinson Naval Base. She graduated in three years from Grace Hospital School of Nursing after which she immediately enlisted in the United States Nursing Corps. Then Vada served as an active duty nurse from January 26, 1944 to October 9, 1944. While Harvey was stationed in Florida, she received a special package on her birthday: a wedding ring. They were married on September 27, 1944, at the United Brethren Parsonage in Burrton, Kansas. She was discharged from the Navy Nurse Corps because her marriage made her ineligible for retention and active service.

Vada and Harvey made their first home in Hackney, Kansas. In the mid 1940's they moved to a home east of Atlanta, Kansas where Janet and James were born. In 1949, they bought a house south of Latham, Kansas that "needed a lot of fixing." The previous homeowners had a pig in the house. In 1959, they established LaPar Dairy, named after a combination of their middle names. For over 12 years, Vada commuted to Wichita, where she provided nursing care for Boeing employees.

In 1980 Vada survived a large tornado by hunkering down in a storm cellar. The family home and farm, however, were devastated. Vada said she never worried about anything because she "always had faith." They rebuilt, and she lived on the farm until she was 93 years old.

Under her skill, quilt patterns evolved into stunning works of art. Sewn by her and selflessly given. More than 282 quilts now blanket homes around the country. She and Harvey also enjoyed traveling, and many Branson shows had the privilege of hearing Vada's giggles. Homemade pies, rolls, and mashed potatoes were a regular tradition at Thanksgiving and Christmas family gatherings at her home. You could always expect an angel food cake on your birthday and plenty of oatmeal cookies anytime. She was a member of the Prairie View United Methodist Church in Atlanta, KS, the CDO (Cook's Day Off) Club, Thimbleberries Quilt Club, Progress Club, Red Hat Club, and the Rook Club, which has maintained a log of their scores since around 1892.

Survivors include: one daughter, Janet (Whitehill) McCauley of Burden, Kansas and five sons, James and Donna Whitehill of Augusta, Kansas, Wayne and Betsy Whitehill of Latham, Kansas, Dean and Judy Whitehill of Garden City, Kansas, Rex and Cindy Lou Whitehill of Chestnut Ridge, MO, and David and Yvonne Whitehill of Latham, Kansas. Vada and Harvey raised their children with Christian values and a strong work ethic.

Fourteen grandchildren, whom she rocked and sang "Little Birdie in the Tree", survive: Matthew McCauley, Mark & Lisa Whitehill, Rebecca & John Lester, Annie & Shawn DeSai, Brooke and Eric Taylor, Luke and Valerie Whitehill, Jeremy and Tammy Whitehill, Jacob and Stephanie Whitehill, Mistina and Rance Duffy, Jeremy and Crystal Bean, Matthew and Brianna Bean, Kyle and Lydia Bean, Jessica (Whitehill) Winter, Joshua and Haley Whitehill.

Other survivors: 38 great grandchildren, plus 3 more expected; and 2 great great grandchildren. On November 23, 2016, she said, "I am so happy and proud of my family."

She is preceded in death by her parents, Obed Lee Toadvine and Eula Ida Toadvine of LaCrosse, Kansas, her husband Harvey, of 55 years, who died on November 13, 2003; brother, Lee Toadvine of Greeley, CO; sisters, Dorothy (Uppendahl) Klein of Denver, CO; Ruth Roark of Atchison, Kansas; Lucile Moller of Hoisington, Kansas; and grandson, Shane Obed Whitehill of Nixa, MO.

Viewing will be from 4:00PM to 8:00PM on December 16, 2016 at Miles Funeral Service, Winfield, Kansas. The family will greet visitors from 4 to 6 that evening.

A celebration of Vada's life will follow at 2:00PM on December 17, 2016 at Miles Funeral Service with Pastor Keith Cross, First Christian Church DOC, officiating.

Burial will follow at Pleasant Valley Cemetery, Hackney, KS, Strother Field..

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to: FACS (Family And Consumer Sciences) Central USD 462 or to the Atlanta Fire Department. Contributions may be made through the funeral home.