Velma Irene Himlie, 93, of Rushford, passed away Friday, August 3, 2018, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Home, where she had been a resident for nine 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 four years old. Velma was blessed with a loving mother when her father married Verna Kleist. Velma attended Tenborg Country School through the eighth 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 Norm’s IGA, Myrtle’s 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, Colo.; great-grandchildren: Hayden, Hillary, Halley, Peyton, Andrew, Lindsey, Creighton, Kennedy and Khloe Hoiness, Alexa and Ryan Himlie, Olivia Dunagan, and Bennet and 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 goddaughter, 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; 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.