In Memory of Grandma Velma

Grandma Velma and Emma Winter 2005

A copy of my Grandma's obituary-

Velma Irene Wolff

Casper---Funeral services for Velma Irene Wolff, 95, will be held Thursday, November 11, 10:30 a.m. at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Casper with Pastor Robert McNamara celebrating. Interment will follow in Highland Cemetery in Casper, WY. Visitation will be from 6-7 P.M., Wed. at Newcomer Funeral Home, 710 E.2ndSt. Casper, WY.

Velma passed away at Sheridan Manor, Nov. 2, 2010. She recently celebrated her 95th birthday Sept. 8, 2010 at Sugarland Ridge Retirement Home in Sheridan, after moving there this past summer. She had lived in her own home until the age of 93. Velma previously lived 48 years in Casper. Velma was born Sept. 8, 1915, in Big Springs, Nebraska to Lewis and Emma Zalman. She was raised on a farm homestead in Nebraska, attended a country school, and graduated from Big Springs High School in 1932. She became a certified teacher for the country schools in Deuel County, Nebraska at the age of 16. Later, Velma received her Bachelor’s Degree in Education at the University of Wyoming in 1968, the same year her son, Kent Macklin graduated from UW.

Velma married Seddie Macklin July 10, 1937 in Sidney, Nebraska. After living their early years in Nebraska, they moved to Laramie, WY where their first child, Kent was born. Later, while living in Casper, WY their daughter Marcine was born. Velma also lived in Buffalo where Seddie owned the Ford garage. After Seddie’s death, Velma married Harold Wolff, Aug. 8, 1961. They lived in Casper where Velma taught in the elementary school system until retiring at the age of 70. She loved teaching. Her daughter, Marcine and granddaughter, Andrea, followed in her footsteps.

Velma was active many years at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Casper, helping with the Ladies group that made quilts for the needy, and she served on the Altar Guild. In Buffalo, she was a Sunday school teacher, and played the organ on Sundays. She was known for her excellent cooking, canning, and making homemade jellies. She enjoyed gardening, raised a large vegetable garden and grew many flowers, especially beautiful roses. She loved to paint the lovely flowers. She also enjoyed her pet cats through the years. In her later years at Primrose Retirement Community, she truly appreciated the loving care she received from the nurses and aides.

She is survived by her son, Kent (Donna) Macklin, Casper, daughter Marcine (Robert) Kvidahl, Sheridan, grandson, Christopher Sly, Cheyenne, granddaughter Andrea Macklin Davey, (Bryan) and great-granddaughters, Emma and Caitlyn, Gilbert, AZ, and grandson, Nathan Macklin, Washington, DC . She was preceded in death by her husbands, Seddie, and Harold, parents, Louis and Emma Zalman, and brother, Marvin Zalman.

Velma leaves a legacy of loving, learning, and serving. She loved the Lord and was ready to be at home with Him. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Evangelical Lutheran Churches in America World Hunger Program may be sent to Newcomers Funeral Home, or donations may be made on-line at: WWW.ELCA.ORG Online condolences may be offered to the family at www. newcomersfuneralhome.com

A remembrance

Grandma Velma was a remarkable woman. She was a determined, driven, strong willed woman. She was the most giving person I have known. The more I learn about her as I get older, the more I am in awe of her. She had a strong love for family, a love of teaching, a love of the Lord and a will to move forward after facing some terrible heartaches throughout her young life.

My brother and I spent many long summer afternoons playing at Grandma and Grandpa's house when my Mom went back to work. My Grandma had set aside a whole part of her basement and set us up with the best play kitchen/play house that we could have dreamt of. We had play desks in her dining room, a huge backyard to play in overlooking the golf course, Nickelodeon to watch and a whole variety of kid friendly snacks just waiting for us. On occasion we would invite friends along to come play at my Grandma's house. She was always so welcoming and interested in what we were into at all stages of our childhood. In addition to summer days, we would also spend Saturday evenings at her house so my parents could go on date nights. We would go to evening Mass, drive through taco bell, eat dinner at Grandma's house and play the night away. After watching the Love Boat and eating Cheesies (as we called them), Grandma would read to us until we were too tired to keep our eyes open.

We spent every holiday together. Grandma carried on many traditions from when my Dad and Aunt Marcine were young and we loved each one of them (and still do). One of my favorites was Christmas Eve. We would go to Christmas Eve mass and then head to Grandma and Grandpa's house for her famous shrimp soup, oyster stew, cheese stars and many other scrumptious appetizers. After a gift exchange we would enjoy many of Grandma and Aunt Marcine's many cookies and candies along with punch with cherry ice cubes. I have so many fond memories of our times together. I began carrying on Grandma's traditions on Christmas Eve.

We also traveled with my Grandma. We went on a few road trips around Wyoming when we were younger and then when we were a little older we went to Washington D.C. Who would have thought all these years later that Nathan would be working for the State Department as a Diplomat, now living in D.C. Grandma was always so proud of Nathan and me and she attended all of our school related activities.

Now, that I am a wife and mother I appreciate all of Grandma's tremendous efforts a little more, in a different way I guess you could say. She was a delicious cook, baker and made the best homemade ice cream. I can remember numerous evenings on her back porch surrounded by her huge flower beds, never ending lush lawn, a garden that stretched from one end of the yard to the other and the golf course.

As I reflect on her life and of memories of her, I just thank God for blessing my Dad with such a great Mother. She raised a wonderful son (and daughter). She was an extra special Grandma and will always be in my heart and memories as I raise my two girls. I am also so thankful that she got to meet my girls. Emma was named after her Mom, Emma Zalman and that is something I hold dear.

Tonight, December 5th, the girls and I listened to her recite Twas the Night Before Christmas (recorded last year when she was 94). I have it recorded in a book format. It is the most special thing to be able to hear her read the story to the girls. She was actually reciting it from memory- that shows you how sharp she was.

Rest in Peace Dear Grandma. You are remembered with love and admiration and you will be forever a part of each of us. Rest in the rose gardens of heaven.

Love,

Andrea