VELAU, Della A. (1929-2014)

VELAU, STAFFORD, DURNIN, ANDERSON, BORGNE, KING, WOOTEN, HOWARD, ROE, NICHOLS, WOLFF, GRAFF

Posted By: Hancock Co Genealogical Society (email)
Date: 3/10/2016 at 16:09:24

GARNER

Della A. Velau, 84, of rural Garner, passed away Friday, May 2, 2014, in Des Moines.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 7, at the Klemme United Methodist Church, Klemme, with the Rev. Michael Shaffer officiating. Burial will be in the Ell Township Cemetery, Klemme.

Visitation will be from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Andrews Funeral Home, 528 East Main Street, Klemme, and continues one hour prior to the funeral service at church on Wednesday.

Della Anna Velau, daughter of Henry Marion and Elizabeth (Durnin) Stafford, was born Aug. 2, 1929, at Waterloo, Iowa. She attended Waterloo East High and graduated with the Class of 1947. She worked at Rath Packing for a short time and then at the Chicken Basket restaurant where she met her future husband, LaVern Darrell Dean Velau. On May 7, 1948, LaVern, Della and Della's sister Darlene and her husband Aaron (Cy) Anderson made a trip to Harrison, Ark., where the next day they were married and started their 50 years together.

LaVern took the city girl "out to the farm" where they would assist with the farming operation with LaVern's father, John. Della was still living on the farm 66 years later. In later years, Della worked at the Swanson Hatchery and Sawtelle Grocery in Klemme, and for 13 years as a nurses aide at the Concord Care Center in Garner. She was also active in 4-H as a leader, and Della and LaVern co-managed the county fair 4-H food stand for 23 years. She has been a member of the Klemme Methodist Church since 1951.

In 1982 Della and LaVern retired from farming and continued to live on the farm during the summer and in Texas during the winter. While spending the winters in Texas she did much volunteer work for the St. Vincent DePaul Organization. Shortly after their 50th anniversary LaVern passed away on June 29, 1998.

Della enjoyed creating many unique designed crocheted and knitted items such as bedspreads, table cloths, baby clothing and afghans without using patterns or instructions. Many of these items are used by family members today. One year she knitted 100 pairs of mittens that were donated to children's organizations. Many of her afghans were donated to veteran's organizations. In her spare time you would find Della working on a jigsaw puzzle or getting ready to travel on a cruise ship or train excursion.

On Dec. 11, 2010, Della Velau and Robert Borgne were married in Taylor, Texas. They were both very active volunteers for the St. Vincent DePaul Organization. Robert passed away June 26, 2011.

Della passed away May 2, 2014, at Taylor House Hospice in Des Moines Iowa, after a brief illness.

Della is survived by her son, LaVern Dean Velau and special friend, Karon King of Garner; step-daughter, Carol Wooten and husband J.W. of Bulverde, Texas; step-son, Robert Borgne, Jr. and wife Rebecca of Taylor, Texas; 12 nephews, 13 nieces, many great-nephews and nieces and great-great nephews and nieces.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands, and siblings: Mary Howard, Elaine Roe, Darlene Anderson, Henry Stafford Jr., Kathleen Nichols/Wolff and Marilyn Graff; three nephews: Thomas Howard, Michael Howard, and Darrell Anderson; and one niece, Carol Anderson.

Memorials may be made to the organization or charity of your choice.

Andrews Funeral Home, Klemme, IA

source: Mason City Globe Gazette, 6 May 2014, page 6