1921
Velma
2011
Velma Anderson
April 17, 1921 — March 31, 2011
Mrs. Velma M. (Steussy) Anderson, 89, died Thursday, March 31, 2011 in Casa Grande, AZ.
She was born on April 17, 1921 near Foxhome, MN, the daughter of Alvin and Clara Steussy and grew up on the farm. She graduated from Campbell High School and later attended business school in St. Paul, MN. She enlisted in the U.S. Army on September 7, 1944 during World War II. She served in the Women's Army Air Corps (WAAC) and was stationed at an Army Air Corps base in South Carolina where her duties were in the operations office. She was honorably discharged on July 3, 1946. She became employed part-time as a sales clerk in 1948 at a naval air station in Minneapolis. She then enlisted in the Air Force on November 20, 1949 during the Korean War and served in the Women in Air Force (WAF). She was stationed as a staff sergeant in headquarters at the SAC Air Force Base near Omaha, NE. She was honorably discharged on January 31, 1953. She was a member of Adamson-Norman American Legion Post #30 in Fergus Falls since 1995 and a member from St. Paul since 1950.
Velma married Bill Anderson on February 7, 1953 at the Federated Church in Fergus Falls. He was in the Navy, so they moved to San Diego, CA, then to Monterrey, CA, then to Olathe, KS, where he went from active duty to the reserves. In 1957, they moved to Bainbridge, GA, where they also raised nutria. They then moved to Oklahoma City, OK, where their daughter, Cindy, was born. They also had a candle business, selling to restaurants and supper clubs. Bill retired from the reserves and flew for private companies which resulted in their moving to Carbondale, IL briefly before moving to Keokuk, IA where they also sold wick homes. They remained there for 5 years and then moved to Dubuque, IA where they resided for 14 years. They celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary last February. In Dubuque, Velma enjoyed working as a volunteer at Finley Hospital for many years. She also enjoyed cake decorating and was involved with Laubach Literacy, teaching people to read. She was a member of Center Grove Methodist Church. She took pride in working with several nieces on her family genealogy. When Bill retired, they became "snow birds" visiting Alamo, TX and Yuma, AZ. In 1987, they chose to settle in Casa Grande, AZ where they were residing at the time of Velma's death. In 2005, they made their last trip to Minnesota and Nebraska where they enjoyed a wonderful time with family and friends.
She is survived by her husband, Bill Anderson of Casa Grande, AZ; her daughter, Cindy Anderson of Dubuque, IA; a brother, Lloyd Steussy of Breckenridge, MN and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents Alvin and Clara Steussy of Fergus Falls; three brothers: Donald Steussy of Breckenridge, MN, Edwin (Bud) Steussy of Renton, WA and Robert (Bob) Steussy of Fergus Falls, MN and three sisters: Lucille (Dysart) Olson of San Diego, CA, Phyllis Balfour of Fergus Falls, MN and Betty Hammers of Creston, IA.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be sent to the MN Veteran's Home in Fergus Falls in care of the Special Care Unit.
Visitation: one hour prior to the memorial service
Memorial Service: Saturday, June 11, 2011 at 11:30 A.M. at the Glende-Nilson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls
Clergy: Rev. Douglas Dent
Burial: Knollwood Memorial Gardens - Fergus Falls
Military Rites: American Legion Post 30 and VFW Post 612 - Fergus Falls
Funeral Home: Glende-Nilson Funeral Home of Fergus Falls
Condolences: www.glendenilson.com
She was born on April 17, 1921 near Foxhome, MN, the daughter of Alvin and Clara Steussy and grew up on the farm. She graduated from Campbell High School and later attended business school in St. Paul, MN. She enlisted in the U.S. Army on September 7, 1944 during World War II. She served in the Women's Army Air Corps (WAAC) and was stationed at an Army Air Corps base in South Carolina where her duties were in the operations office. She was honorably discharged on July 3, 1946. She became employed part-time as a sales clerk in 1948 at a naval air station in Minneapolis. She then enlisted in the Air Force on November 20, 1949 during the Korean War and served in the Women in Air Force (WAF). She was stationed as a staff sergeant in headquarters at the SAC Air Force Base near Omaha, NE. She was honorably discharged on January 31, 1953. She was a member of Adamson-Norman American Legion Post #30 in Fergus Falls since 1995 and a member from St. Paul since 1950.
Velma married Bill Anderson on February 7, 1953 at the Federated Church in Fergus Falls. He was in the Navy, so they moved to San Diego, CA, then to Monterrey, CA, then to Olathe, KS, where he went from active duty to the reserves. In 1957, they moved to Bainbridge, GA, where they also raised nutria. They then moved to Oklahoma City, OK, where their daughter, Cindy, was born. They also had a candle business, selling to restaurants and supper clubs. Bill retired from the reserves and flew for private companies which resulted in their moving to Carbondale, IL briefly before moving to Keokuk, IA where they also sold wick homes. They remained there for 5 years and then moved to Dubuque, IA where they resided for 14 years. They celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary last February. In Dubuque, Velma enjoyed working as a volunteer at Finley Hospital for many years. She also enjoyed cake decorating and was involved with Laubach Literacy, teaching people to read. She was a member of Center Grove Methodist Church. She took pride in working with several nieces on her family genealogy. When Bill retired, they became "snow birds" visiting Alamo, TX and Yuma, AZ. In 1987, they chose to settle in Casa Grande, AZ where they were residing at the time of Velma's death. In 2005, they made their last trip to Minnesota and Nebraska where they enjoyed a wonderful time with family and friends.
She is survived by her husband, Bill Anderson of Casa Grande, AZ; her daughter, Cindy Anderson of Dubuque, IA; a brother, Lloyd Steussy of Breckenridge, MN and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents Alvin and Clara Steussy of Fergus Falls; three brothers: Donald Steussy of Breckenridge, MN, Edwin (Bud) Steussy of Renton, WA and Robert (Bob) Steussy of Fergus Falls, MN and three sisters: Lucille (Dysart) Olson of San Diego, CA, Phyllis Balfour of Fergus Falls, MN and Betty Hammers of Creston, IA.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be sent to the MN Veteran's Home in Fergus Falls in care of the Special Care Unit.
Visitation: one hour prior to the memorial service
Memorial Service: Saturday, June 11, 2011 at 11:30 A.M. at the Glende-Nilson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls
Clergy: Rev. Douglas Dent
Burial: Knollwood Memorial Gardens - Fergus Falls
Military Rites: American Legion Post 30 and VFW Post 612 - Fergus Falls
Funeral Home: Glende-Nilson Funeral Home of Fergus Falls
Condolences: www.glendenilson.com
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