Velma Bernice

Munson, Velma "Val" Bernice MADISON - Velma Bernice Munson was born on May 17, 1921, the daughter of Alfred and Helen (Schauf) Hanna on the home farm in Grant Township, rural Woden, Iowa. She attended Grant District 7 Township School and Buffalo Center Consolidated High School. Velma graduated in May 1939, with a Normal Training Teachers Certificate. Teaching jobs in Iowa included: Linden Township, Grant District 8 and Clear Lake. On May 30, 1944, Velma married 1st Lt. Arthur C. Munson of Camp Shelby, Miss. The marriage took place at the Lutheran Chapel in Hattiesburg, Miss. Following the war, Velma and Art moved to LaCrescent, Minn., where Art was employed by Allis Chalmers. They lived there until 1969, when Allis Chalmers transferred Art and Velma to LaPorte, Ind. In later years, both Art and Velma worked for the Department of Corrections until retirement in 1978. She and Art were members of Bethany Lutheran Church in LaPorte. Velma loved to garden, sew, quilt and had a keen eye for fashion. She loved the Tetons and made frequent trips there with niece, Joline and her family. Many of her 20 nieces and nephews are blessed to have a handmade quilt or afghan with the special tag, "from Velma, made with love." Her sewing club, Wanatah, and her neighborhood bridge club were dear to her heart. Val especially loved to talk and laugh. And talk and laugh. And talk. Following Arts death, Velma moved to Madison, in November 2004, to be close to three nieces. She filled their lives with love, humor and a twinkle in her eye. Velma died on Thursday, March 15, 2007, at the St. Marys Care Center surrounded by her nieces. She was preceded in death by her husband, Art; her parents, Alfred and Helen Hanna; brothers, Donald, Alfred Jr. and Richard; sister, Arlene Steffen; and brothers-in-law, Vernon Steffen and Bud Kohls. She is survived by her sister, Althea (Kenneth) Brager of Forest City, Iowa; sister, Norma Jean Kohls of Waterloo, Iowa; sisters-in-law, Eldora Hanna of Decorah, Iowa, Jewel Hanna of Woodbine, Ky. and Virginia Hanna of Mesa, Ariz.; 20 nieces and nephews; and numerous great nieces and nephews. The family wishes to extend their appreciation to St. Marys Care Center Staff who made Vals stay so homey and comfortable, to the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Staff for their support and to Rhonda Heise of UW Clinics, who helped the family in so many ways. Funeral services will be held at the PETERSON-LUND FUNERAL HOME, 505 N. Clark St., Forest City, Iowa, on Sunday, March 18, 2007, at 1 p.m. with Pastor Hagen presiding. There will be a visitation from noon until time of service at the funeral home. Interment will be in Carmel Cemetery, LaPorte, Ind., at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 23, 2007. Those wishing to express their sympathy with a memorial may wish to consider the American Alzheimers Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Floor 17, Chicago, IL 60601-7633. Val brought joy to others and now may she experience some of that joy herself! Gunderson West Funeral and Cremation Centers 7435 University Ave. (608) 831-6761 www.gundersonfh.com