CHERRYVALE — Vera Bolen, 94, of Cherryvale, a former longtime resident of Altamont, died at 5:50 p.m. Sunday, July 3, 2011, at Mercy Hospital in Independence.

She was born on Aug. 12, 1916, in Altamont to Wilford and Jessie (Kugler) Baker. As a young girl, she attended rural elementary school near Altamont and was a 1934 graduate of Labette County Community High School in Altamont. She continued her education by earning an associate degree in 1936 from Parsons Junior College.

Prior to marriage, she worked at Gearhiser Restaurant in Altamont. On Jan. 26, 1941, she married Harrison A. Bolen in Oswego. Following marriage, they lived in Oswego, Edna and Altamont. While living in Altamont, she worked at Beech’s Grocery Store and later Retirement Acres.

She was recognized as the oldest living member of First Baptist Church in Altamont. She enjoyed the works of Helen Steiner Rice, crocheting and flower gardening, and especially enjoyed collecting thimbles, salt and pepper shakers and Precious Moments figurines.

Survivors include a son, Michael Dee Bolen and his wife, Jerry, of Altamont; a daughter, Mary K. Blackburn and her husband, Ronald, of Cherryvale; eight grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Harrison Bolen, on Jan. 30, 1994; a daughter, Carolyn Sue Strickland; an infant granddaughter; two brothers, Wilford Baker, who was killed in 1945 while serving his country during World War II, and Howard Baker on Feb. 19, 2007; and a sister, Marguerite Pommer, in 2006.

The service will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at First Baptist Church in Altamont. Burial will be in Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Altamont. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. today at Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Altamont.

Memorials are suggested to First Baptist Church in Altamont or the American Cancer Society and may be left at or mailed to the funeral home, P.O. Box 325, Altamont, 67330.

Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com.