Velma Brown

Velma Jean Elizabeth (Peterson) Brown age 85 of Brady passed away November 24, 2017 at Great Plains Health with her loving family surrounding her.  Velma was born January 6, 1932, the youngest child, of Clarence and Mary (Stevens) Peterson.

She grew up in Valentine and graduated from Valentine Rural High School with the Class of 1950. She completed her teaching degree at Chadron State Teachers’ College.   Velma married Gerald Brown on November 15, 1952 in Pierre, So Dakota.  To this union five children were born, Mike, Pam, Kathy, Deb and Shelle.

Velma was a teacher at heart, she loved children and always provided an opportunity for those around her to learn something new.  After 38 years of teaching elementary grade students in one-room schools and larger public schools she retired from Maxwell Public School.  Velma was a loving wife who cared deeply for her husband.  She was especially fond of her family, her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the joy of her life.  Holidays were always a festive occasion where she enjoyed having her family together and decorating her home for the holiday seasons.  In her last days she had her family over for Thanksgiving. Baking was a passion of Velma’s and her talent of decorating cakes was shared when she baked birthday cakes designed uniquely for each grandchild.  She also decorated cakes for weddings, graduations and any other special occasion.   Velma touched the lives of many people throughout her life and she will be remembered for her love, nurturing and caring.

Velma is survived by her children Mike (Sandi) Brown of Lincoln, Pam (Jack) Mann of Brady, Kathy Hoffman of Brady, Deb Franzen of Rifle, CO, and Michele (Stacey) Blagdon of Brady.   She is survived by 19 grandchildren, Josh Brown (Melanie O’Donnell) of Omaha, Cassandra (Dan) Lee of Mahomet, IL, Chantel Brown of Omaha, Hillary (Logan) Collins of  Jonesboro, AR, Whitney (Ryan) Brown of Kearney, Lucinda (Dan) Robison of Brady, Luke (Kim) Mann of Clayton, NC, Jill Miller of Brady, Angel Hoffman of North Platte, Chris (Priscilla) Franzen of Greeley, CO, Keith Franzen (Lakyn Parrish) of Fort Morgan, CO, Justin Franzen (Kelsey Hauge) of Sidney, Holly (Korry) Kinnison of Ovid, Co ,Dylan Blagdon (Bailey Maddox) of North Platte,  Cameron (Kellie) Ristine of Lincoln, Torey (Matt) Franzen of North Platte, Mark (April) Hoffman, Karen (Lonnie) McClellen and Sarah Hoffman,  38 great grandchildren, sisters-in-law Joan (Orrin) Thiede of Springview,  Janice (Tim) Cook of Bassett; Jalene Duggan of Ontario, CA and Judy (Lyle) Nickerson of Imperial, numerous nieces and nephews , the surviving classmates of VRHS Class of 1950 and special long-time friend, Wanda Maxey of Pico Rivera, CA.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Gerald, parents, Clarence and Mary, brothers, Carl, Laurence, Clarence, Ralph and their wives, her sisters, Luellabel Groome and Irene Laleff and their husbands, twin infant sisters, grandchildren, Brianna Brown, Jeremy (Becky) Bartels and Jason Bartels, great granddaughters, Lehya Jane Bartels and Madison Joy Lee

Visitation will be held at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel, Gothenburg, NE; Monday, November 27, 2017, 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm with the family present from 5:00-6:30 pm.

Services will be held at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel, Tuesday, November 28, 2017 at 10:30 am with Pastor John Pauls officiating.

Burial will follow in the Gaslin Cemetery, Brady, NE.

Memorials may be given to the Brady Volunteer Fire & Rescue, PO Box 31, Brady, NE 69123.