"Velma was a Beautiful lady, Velma & Bill done such great job for our daughter Dana?s wedding at the Farmhouse . Rip Velma Leonard & Yvonne Dhabalt"
In loving memory of
Velma Kathryn Rice
August 13, 1931 - September 6, 2020
Velma Kathryn Rice, age 89 of Newton, passed away on Sunday, September 6, 2020 at the Comfort House in Pella. A graveside funeral service will be held on Thursday, September 10, 2020 at 10:30 am at Silent City Cemetery in Monroe. Visitation will begin on Thursday, September 10, from 9:00 - 10:15 am at Coburn Funeral Home in Monroe. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Samaritan's Purse (www.samaritanspurse.org), and condolences may be left for the family at www.coburnfuneralhomes.com.
The daughter of Henry William and Cornelia (Hiemstra) Vriezelaar, Velma was born on August 13, 1931 on Locustdale Farm in Otley, Iowa. She graduated from Monroe High School. She was united in marriage to Donald Fisher in 1948 and later divorced. In 1955, Velma married William Rice in Kansas City, Missouri. Velma was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and aunt, and will be missed by many. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Monroe. Her career involved being an office secretary for many years and various types of sales. She and her husband, Bill, owned and operated The Farmhouse Restaurant in Melcher. She was an avid gardener and loved every type of flower.
Those left to honor her memory include her two children, Robert (Sue) Fisher and Janice Marie (Rick) Shipman; two grandchildren, Nathaniel (Martina) Fisher and Kristy (Paul) Hamilton; seven great grandchildren, Ethan, Nate, Peter, Elinor, Kelsey, Olivia, Patrick, and Katie; and a sister, Mary Schendel. Preceding Velma in death were her parents; her infant daughter, Judith Ann; husband, William; two sisters, Madeline West and Coralee Woody; and two brothers, Arthur Vriezelaar and John Vriezelaar.
Tributes
"Thinking of you all at this time. There are many happy memories with cousin Velma from country school and through the years. It would have been fun to exchange flowers and information in later years if we lived closer. Good to see her three years ago in Pella."
"So very sorry to read of Velma's passing. She and my sister in law, Shirley Cooper were friends. When Velma first moved back to Newton we went to a dinner in the fall at a church fund raiser and had the nicest visit. Safe in HIS ARMS!!!"
"I always enjoyed my many visits with Velma. She owned a restaurant many years ago and it was very close to my hometown. We had many friend and acquaintance connections. I'm so glad that I entered your life for a few short years and I hope I made your life a bit more comfortable. Now ... you can rest. With sincerity and warmest regards ~ Tracy Doonan "
"I always enjoyed my many visits with Velma. She owned a restaurant many years ago and it was very close to my hometown. We had many friend and acquaintance connections. I'm so glad that I entered your life for a few short years and I hope I made your life a bit more comfortable. Now ... you can rest. With sincerity and warmest regards ~ Tracy Doonan "
"I did Velma?s hair for several years. What a beautiful person. We traded flower slips and garden produce when we had too much. She will be missed. Rest In Peace dear lady. "