Velma Anderson

Services for Velma Anderson, age 95, of Spirit Lake will be 11:30 am Saturday, January 24, 2015, at the United Methodist Church in Spirit Lake. Visitation will begin at 10:30 am until service time at the church. Velma Eileen (Kester) Anderson passed away at the age of 95 on January 17, 2015 in Chaska, Minnesota. Velma was born on March 23, 1919, in Valley Junction (West Des Moines), Iowa, to Fred and Nellie Kester. She graduated from Valley High School in West Des Moines, and American Institute of Business in Des Moines. She worked as a secretary at United Food Markets and Central Wholesale in Des Moines, where she met the love of her life, Howard Anderson. Howard and Velma were married on September 1, 1940. They raised their family in West Des Moines. In 1969 they moved to Spirit Lake, Iowa where Howard co-managed Vacation Village. Their children and grandchildren loved visiting them there. Velma loved music. She could play anything on the piano by ear. She was an accompanist to many musicians. She also loved to sew and do craftwork. She belonged to the Spirit Lake United Methodist Church. She was a member of Eastern Star, Chapter CJ (PEO) in Des Moines, Chapter BE (PEO) in Spirit Lake, and LBU in Spirit Lake. She is survived by her daughters Linda (Robert) Reaney and Jane (Tom) Waller; grandchildren Jill Reaney, Scott Reaney, Joy (Jeff) Neville, Dan (Nicole) Waller, Kristen (Jason) Rosenstiel, David Maki-Waller, Kaara Maki-Waller, 13 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. She is also survived by sister-in-law Marion Anderson, several nieces and a nephew. She was preceded in death by her parents; brother and sister-in-law Dale and Kay Kester; brother-in-law Earl Anderson; great granddaughter Harper Maki-Waller, and her beloved husband, Howard. Velma always made people feel very special. She was kind, loving, loyal and supportive of family and friends, and they will cherish her memory forever. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the United Methodist Church in Spirit Lake, 1812 Gary Avenue, Spirit Lake, IA 51360 or The Marie Steiner Kelting Hospice Home, 9120 Shady Oak Lane, Chaska, MN 55318.