Vonda Mae Brockman, age 93, died August 30, 2022, at Advena Living of Clay Center.
Born September 11, 1928, in Manhattan, Vonda was the devoted daughter of Lloyd T. and Ona Mae (Vail) Johnson. While she spent much of her lifetime in Manhattan, Vonda was also fond of the time she lived in both California and Lawrence during her youth, followed by Clay Center in her final years.
Vonda graduated from Manhattan High School and attended Kansas State University. She was taking classes toward a teaching degree until she met Carl Brockman, whom she married on August 22, 1948. They later divorced, but shared the joy of their four children: Karla, Michael, Rebecca and Kraig.
She was very devoted to her family and would go to great lengths to do anything and everything for her children, and in later years, her grandchildren and great grandchildren. All babies in the family enjoyed the “Doodly-Doo” and “Playmate” songs Vonda sang to them, and at the age of 15, her grandchildren were each given the gift of travel, taking a trip with “Grandma Voni” to the place of their choosing in the continental U.S.
Vonda also served as a grandparent of sorts to many Manhattanites whom she taught and reared in her home daycare for 20 years. She was also well known for her love of cooking and her green thumb, and was a member of the Garden Club and the First Christian Church.
Survivors include her four children: Karla Brockman of St. Joseph, MO; Michael Brockman and his wife Karla of Kansas City, MO; Rebecca Johnson and her husband Larry of Manhattan; and Kraig Brockman and his wife Sara of Clay Center, KS; 10 grandchildren: Anna Brockman, Melanie Fender (Todd), and Karissa Brockman; Nicole Wang (Clifford), Brent Nelson, Laurence Johnson, Lauren Froggatte (Calvin), Kari Stratton (Shawn), Emily Brockman (Sally Nietfeld), and Andrew Brockman (Jessica); and 17 great-grandchildren: Sean, Josh, Chasely and Ruby Fender; Ellery and Ansley Wang; Finn, Liam and Lilly Nelson; Russell Froggatte; Tegan, Jael and Abram Stratton; Ori and Ellis Brockman; and Veronica and Rhett Brockman.
Vonda was preceded in death by one grandchild, Jacob Johnson.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M. Tuesday, September 6th, at the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Chapel with Reverend Ben Duerfeldt officiating. Interment will follow in the Sunset Cemetery in Manhattan.
Memorial contributions may be made to the First Christian Church for the preschool program. Contributions may be left in care of Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66502.