Severson, Zella M. (1931-2015)
SEVERSON, ALTENBURG, SMITH, SHAFER, CAMPBELL, FERRIN, ROSS, TROYER
Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 2/13/2016 at 12:52:01
Zella M. Severson
February 23, 1931 - October 30, 2015Zella Mae (Altenburg) Severson, 84, of Longmont, Colorado, died on Friday, October 30, 2015, at the Longmont United Hospital.
Born on February 23, 1931, in Sanborn, North Dakota, she was the youngest child of James, Sr., and Alice Altenburg. When she 10 years old, her father was killed in a trucking accident, and when she was 12, her mother died of cancer, thereby making her an orphan. She and her brother, then, went to live with an aunt and uncle on a farm in North Dakota. After graduating from Sanborn High School in 1949, she headed out west to California to work and live with her sister, Betty.
On July 21, 1951, she married Paul Severson in San Diego, California. Subsequently, they moved to Washington, D.C., and then to Iowa for Paul’s teaching jobs while Zella worked as a telephone operation, secretary, seamstress, and homemaker helping raise six children over the years.
In 1977, she and Paul moved to Longmont, Colorado, from Forest City, Iowa, and started a new chapter in their lives.
Zella loved to knit and crochet. She made thousands of baby caps and baby booties which the Knit and Purl group donated to various charities. An avid reader, she, also, enjoyed doing puzzles. In addition, she took great pride in her flower gardens in both Iowa and Colorado. Having the travel bug, she and Paul traveled to many places in the U. S. and overseas.
In Forest City, Iowa, Zella was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church. After she and Paul moved to Longmont, they became members of Bethlehem Lutheran Church. After Paul’s death, Zella changed churches becoming of member of the First Evangelical Lutheran Church as a matter of convenience since she didn’t drive and this church offered a bus to pick her up for Sunday church services.
Her survivors include her daughters: Susan (Charles) Smith, of Miles City, Montana, and Nancy Shafer and Marsha Campbell, both of Puyallup, Washington; her son: Steven (Penny) Severson, of Edmond, Oklahoma; her grandchildren: Deziree Ferrin, Brandi (Justin) Ross, Skylar Severson, Ashley Shafer, Matthew and Lisa Smith, and Katie (Austin) Troyer; and her great-grandchildren: Brantley, Hailee, Kaylianne, Lililth, and Logan. Zella was preceded in death by her husband, Paul; an infant son, David; a daughter, Kathy; her sisters, Betty and Edith; and her brother, James Severson, Jr.
A Visitation will be held Tuesday, November 3, 2015, at the Carroll-Lewellen Funeral Home Chapel, 503 Terry St., Longmont, Colorado. A Funeral Service will be held at 10:00 am, Wednesday, November 4, 2015, at the First Evangelical Lutheran Church, 803 3rd Ave., Longmont, Colorado 80501. A Gathering and Reception will follow the Service in the Friendship Center at the Church. Burial will follow the reception at 1:00 p.m. at the Mountain View Cemetery, Longmont, Colorado.
Carroll-Lewellen Funeral Home Chapel, Longmont, Colorado
Winnebago Obituaries maintained by Cheryl Siebrass.
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