Hoover, Velma Helen (Jorgensen) (1923-2008)

CHALFANT, HOOVER, JORGENSEN, MILLER, SALTSGAVER, STEENSEN, VAN METER

Posted By: Judy Wight Branson (email)
Date: 12/9/2008 at 14:49:01

The Des Moines Register, Des Moines, Iowa
Sunday, March 2, 2008

Velma Helen Jorgensen was one of the twin daughters born to Vina & Andrew Jorgensen on September 7, 1923, at their country home near Guthrie Center, Iowa. She passed away Thursday, February 28, 2008 at the Guthrie County Hospital, Guthrie Center, surrounded by her adoring family.

She was educated at Prairie College Valley #7 school and graduated from Guthrie Center High School in 1940. She was a Valley Bluebird 4-H member and enjoyed playing basketball during her teenage years.

Velma was a teacher in the Seeley #5 and Thompson #1 schools for 3 years.

She was united in marriage to Oris Howard Hoover on July 27, 1944, after he returned from Navy service at Ford Island, Honolulu, Hawaii. They made their home in Alameda, California, for one year after their marriage so Oris could complete his tour of duty with the U.S. Navy.

In September, 1945, they came back to Guthrie Center, Iowa, to a farm they had purchased southeast of Guthrie Center. They had two daughters, Barbara and Beverly. Velma and Oris had a general farming operation with grains, hay, hogs, and cattle. They especially enjoyed their relationship with the Polled Hereford breed of cattle. Velma was Oris's tireless helpmate. After nearly 40 years on the same farm, they retired to a new home in Guthrie Center in January, 1985.

Velma loved her family and enjoyed sewing, flower and vegetable gardening, yard work, and traveling. She was a faithful fan of all her children and grandchildren's school and sports activities and for the New York Yankees and the Iowa Hawkeyes. Velma was a meticulous homemaker, an excellent cook and an amazing wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend.

She was a member of the United Methodist Church, Monteith Ladies Aid and Community Club, United Methodist Women, Guthrie Center Women's Club, American Legion Auxiliary, Past Presidents of Legion Auxiliary, and the Hospital Auxiliary. She was active as a 4-H volunteer and leader, and a Sunday school teacher.

She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Oris Hoover, daughters, Barbara (Gregg) Saltsgaver of Redfield, Iowa, and Beverly (Sam) Steensen of Guthrie Center, Iowa, 5 grandchildren, Lisa (Chris) Rhodes, Scott (Maren) Steensen, Melia (Eric) Van Meter, Nicole (David) Miller, and Peter Saltsgaver, 5 great grandchildren, Samuel Steensen, Olivia Van Meter, Emerson Van Meter, Kiersten Steensen, and Saoirse Miller, and her twin sister, Vera Chalfant of Guthrie Center, Iowa.

Service of Celebration will be 10:30 a.m., Monday, March 3, 2008, at the First United Methodist Church, Guthrie Center. Private inurnment will be at a later date. Visitation will be Sunday, March 2, 2008 from 4 to 8 p.m. with family present from 6 to 8 p.m. at Beidelman-Twigg Funeral Home, Guthrie Center.

Memorials may be left to Hospice of Central Iowa or the Guthrie County Hospital.