"Velma was moms best friend and a good friend to me as well. She was always upbeat and smiling and made me welcome in her home. I will always remember our times when I was young of sharing a meal, mom and dad playing cards with her and George and playing with Gayle and Randy. She was a wonderful friend and had a joyful heart. I will miss her. Peggy"
In loving memory of
Velma Himlie
March 30, 1925 - August 3, 2018
Velma Irene Himlie, 93 of Rushford, passed away Friday, August 3, 2018 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Home where she had been a resident for 9 years.
Velma and her twin sister, Vera were born March 30, 1925 to Vern and Emma (Grapentine) Otis. Her mother, passed away when she was only 4 years old. Velma was blessed with a loving mother when her father married Verna Kleist. Velma attended Tenborg Country School through the 8th grade. On June 9, 1946, she married George Himlie and they had two children, Randall Grant and Gayle Ramona. George died in 1976. She later married Hans Dammen and they divorced. She worked at Norms IGA, Myrtles Dress Shop, Camera Art and Good Shepherd Lutheran Home. Velma was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, Presbyterian Women and VFW Auxiliary.
Velma enjoyed spending 27 winters in Texas. Nineteen of those years she spent time there and in Rushford with her good friend and dance partner Earl Johnson.
Velma enjoyed music and dancing, playing cards and entertaining. She always had a positive attitude and a smile on her face. Velma was loving, caring, compassionate and a wonderful role model. She loved her family very much.
She is survived by her daughter, Gayle (Jim) Hoiness; daughter-in-law, Marti Himlie; grandchildren, Brent (Jo Dee) Hoiness of La Crescent, Bradley (Betsy) Hoiness of Rushford, Matthew Hoiness of Eagan, Marshall (Kellie) of Eden Prairie, Ahron (Dallas Smith) Dunagan of Stewartville, Adam (Tricia) Himlie of Byron and Lindsay (Richard) Keller of Durango, CO; great-grandchildren, Hayden, Hillary, Halley, Peyton, Andrew, Lindsey, Creighton, Kennedy & Khloe Hoiness, Alexa & Ryan Himlie, Olivia Dunagan and Bennet & Reid Keller; sisters, Jeanette (Don) Wanek, Linda (Bruce) Hovland and Amy Schmidt; brother, Dale Otis; sister-in-law, Myrtle Otis; brother-in-law Vince Himlie; special niece and God daughter, Jennifer (Scott) Johnson and many nieces and nephews.
Preceded in death by husband George, son Randy in 2006, parents Vern, Emma and Verna two brothers, Donald and Roger and her twin sister, Vera Bunke, and good friend Earl Johnson.
A Celebration of her Life will be held at 2 p.m., Friday, August 17, 2018 at Hoff Funeral & Cremation Service - Rushford. Visitation will be 12 p.m. until the time of the service.
Memorials are preferred to Grace Place - a Christian 501c3 Non-Profit whose mission is dedicated to helping families locally; or Rushford Good Shepherd Lutheran Home. For those wishing to send flowers, the family suggests a single rose in a vase which the family will then share with each resident and staff member at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Home where Velma had made many friendships.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Good Shepherd for treating Velma like a queen. Also thank you to Winona Hospice for bringing joy and comfort to Velma during her last months at Good Shepherd.
Please share a memory of Velma and sign her online guestbook at www.hofffuneral.com.
Tributes
"Gayle, I was sorry to hear of your motther''s passing. She was always so friendly and had such a lovely smile. Treasure your memories."
"Dear Hoiness and Himlie family, We are so sorry for your loss.Velma always shared a beautiful smile on her face and in her heart.Truly one of the nicest women we have ever known. Peggi & Steve Redalen"
"We're so sorry for your loss. Velma always had a twinkle in her eye and was eager for the next adventure. She will be missed greatly. Drew & Ashley Anderson family "
"I will never forget the few days that I had spent with Velma and George when I was about 13 years old. They treated me like a queen! Every morning a made to order breakfast with fresh fruit. Our days will filled from morning to evening planned just for me. George let me drive the back roads back from Winona after going to the Hot Fish Shop and seeing the sites. I think he was as excited as I was but not so sure Velma felt the same way, but she still had that wonderful smile on her face. So fortunate to have spent that time with them. It was that same visit that I was offered a ride back to Iowa with Jerry and Pam Bunke. It was a little over a year after that, when Jerry had died while snowmobile racing. So thankful to have spend that time with Velma & George (wonderful godparents/Aunt & Uncle) those few days and to get to know a cousin that I wouldn't have had the chance to if it would not have been for that time in spent with Velma and George in Rushford. Truly blessed to have such a great family! "
"When I was very young, I enjoyed our family visits to Rushford. Velma was a terrific hostess and I wanted to be her when I grew up. Sadly, I soon learned that there was only one Velma. She will be missed by all who were lucky enough to meet her. Blessings to her family. Sandra (Himlie, Dunn) Matusko"
"Velma was one of the core group of "mothers" in our church when we were kids growing up. Always very kind and personable. The kind of person that was the best part of the fabric of what the community was made of. You were lucky to have her as your mother. Sincerely - the Heublein Boys "
"Please accept my sincere condolences on the death of Velma. She is fondly remembered from my childhood and her time with Mom. God bless you all. Julie Iverson"
"So sorry for your loss Gayle! She was a wonderful lady! Be at peace, Velma!"