Velma Esther Heitmann, the daughter of Herman Dunker and Sophie (Grundmann) Dunker, was born June 16, 1926 in rural Deshler, NE and passed away on April 4, 2018 at the Parkview Haven Nursing Home, Deshler, NE at the age of 91 years, 9 months, and 18 days.
Velma grew up in rural Deshler, attending The Trinity Lutheran Grade School and later graduating from Deshler High School. On August 8, 1948, she was united in marriage to Merlin Victor Heitmann and to this union was born: Charlotte, Ward, and Lee. The couple made their home in rural Byron, NE where she was a homemaker.
Velma was active at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Byron, where she was involved in several groups through the years. She also was a member of the Ladies Extension Club for several years. Velma enjoyed crocheting, cross stitching and cross word puzzles.
Velma was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Merlin V. Heitmann in 2006, two grandsons, Kyle Heitmann and Justin Heitmann;
5 brothers, Hubert, Henry, Erwin, Freeland and Reuben Dunker, and 3 sisters,
Ruth Effenbeck, Estella Vorderstrasse, and Margaret Elting; and son-in-law, Rodney Peake.
Velma is survived by two sons, Ward (Lori) Heitmann of Byron, NE and Lee (Ruth) Heitmann of Omaha, NE; one daughter, Charlotte (Ken) Knebel of Phoenix, AZ; nine grandchildren: Wendy Hechtman of Omaha, NE, Kristin (Cory) Cottam of Wamego, KS, John (Sarah Degenhardt) Peake of Omaha, NE, Nathan (Miranda) Heitmann of Papillion, NE, Kelly Peake (Melissa Matos) of Seattle, WA, Jami (Kyle) Kassebaum of Palmyra, NE, Emilie (Nick) Long of Lincoln, NE, James Heitmann of Tucson AZ, and Luke Heitmann of Omaha, NE; 18 great grandchildren; twin sisters, Juleen Hellbusch of Colorado Springs, CO and Julie Stuthman of Wayne, NE; nieces and nephews, other relative and friends.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM, Monday, April 9, 2018 at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Byron, NE with Pastor Breen Sipes, officiating.
The organist for the services will be Cheryl Fintel.
Interment will be at St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery, rural Byron, NE.
Friends may call from 1 PM until 8 PM on Sunday, April 8, 2018
at the Bachelor-Surber Funeral Home, Belleville, KS where the family will receive friends from 2 PM until 4 PM on Sunday.
Memorials are suggested to St. Paul Lutheran Church.
Online condolences at www.bachelor-surber.com
Bachelor-Surber Funeral Home, Belleville, KS is in charge of the arrangements.
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