Velma Himlie

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.