Melaas, Velma Evelyn (Motley) Thompson 1912-1998
MELAAS, MOTLEY, HOLDEN, THOMPSON
Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 1/12/2013 at 12:05:16
Source: Cresco Times Plain Dealer August 5, 1998
Services held for Velma Melaas, 86
Funeral services for Velma Melaas of Decorah were held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, July 31 at Madison Lutheran Church in Ridgeway with interment in the church cemetery. The Rev. Phillip Olson officiated. Pall bearers were Blake Gamm, Larry Melaas, Cory Thompson, Leo Hegvedt, Orvin Melaas and Craig Thompson. French & Balik Funeral Home in Decorah handled the arrangements.
Velma, 86, died after a short illness on Tuesday July 28, 1998 at the Aase Haugen Nursing Home in Decorah.
Velma Evelyn Motley was born in Park Rapids, Hubbard County, MN, on January 24, 1912 to Wesley and Bertha (Holden) Motley. She was one of seven children. Velma was educated in the schools of Park Rapids.
On July 3, 1940 she was united in marriage to Clarence Thompson in Park Rapids. In 1943, Velma and her family moved to Iowa where they farmed the Dr. Ed McMaster farm for one year. In March of 1944, they moved to Clarence’s home place in Madison Township which they later purchased. This farm remained their home and way of life until Clarence died on September 18, 1970.
Velma was baptized on December 20, 1944 at Madison Lutheran Church where she remained a member. She was an active member of the congregation and its women’s organizations.
Following Clarence’s death, Velma lived in Ridgeway for two years. In 1973, she bought a house in Decorah where she made her home. On August 27, 1974 in Park Rapids, MN, Velma married Ove Melaas of Ridgeway. Ove died June 8, 1997. On July 14, 1998 Velma moved to the Aase Haugen Home in Decorah.
Survivors include her son, Carl Thompson of Decorah; her two stepsons: Orvin Melaas of Minneapolis, MN, and Larry Melaas of Savanna, IL; and four grandchildren.
Velma was preceded in death by her husbands Clarence and Ove; her son, Dale; her parents; and her brothers and sisters: Frank, Lawrence, Vera, Hazel, Violet and Mabel.
Transcribed from a newspaper clipping submitted by Janice Sowers.
Madison Lutheran Cemetery
Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Bruce Kuennen.
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