Velda Gorby

Velda Marie “Hilta” Gorby, 87, of Foyil, OK and formerly of Nowata, OK, passed away Saturday night, May 23, 2022, at Porta Caeli House of Tulsa.

Hilta was born in rural Chatauqua County, Kansas, on August 27, 1934, to Clarence F. Finney and Martha M. (Hann) Finney. She graduated from Caney Valley High School in Caney, Kansas in 1953. On May 6, 1954, Hilta married Kenneth E. Gorby, Sr. in Caney, Kansas. Shortly after, the couple moved to Nowata, finding employment, and starting a family. Hilta was employed at the Nowata Nursing Center, working as a nurse aid for 42 years, before retiring. After retirement, Kenneth and Hilta enjoyed frequently traveling to Branson, MO, often meeting up with family.  For their 50th wedding anniversary, the couple traveled to Nashville, Tennessee and visited the Grand Ole Opry. Hilta enjoyed attending family reunions, attending her grandchildren’s sporting events, and going to birthday parties and holiday gatherings with family. She was a long-time member of the Nowata First Church of God.

Hilta is survived by her daughter, Glenda Robb and her husband, Chuck, of Foyil, OK; two sons, Kenny Gorby, Jr. and his wife, Diane of Collinsville, OK and Kevin Gorby of Buckner, MO; seven brothers, Kyle Finney of Niotaze, KS, Gary Finney of Ft. Smith, AR, Harold Finney of Coffeyville, KS, David Finney of Niotaze, KS, Melvin Finney of Independence, KS, Roy Finney of Manhattan, KS, and Lyle Finney of Orofino, ID; son-in-law, Ed Peak of Collinsville, OK, 8 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Kenneth Gorby, Sr. in 2013, a daughter, Linda F. Peak in 2020, and by 3 sisters and 2 brothers.

Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, April 28, 2022, at the Nowata First Church of God with Pastor Wendell Abbott officiating.  Interment will follow at the Nowata Memorial Park Cemetery.  Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Benjamin Funeral Service of Nowata.  Visitation will be Tuesday and Wednesday at the funeral home, 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Porta Caeli House of Tulsa; 2440 N. Harvard Ave. Tulsa, OK 74115. To leave online condolences, visit www.honoringmemories.com.