Velma Louise Sophia Kolling Koch was born to Henry and Katharina nee (Maschmann) Kolling on the family home near Ruskin, Nebraska, on December 7, 1920. She was baptized into the Christian faith on December 10, 1920 Pastor P.E. Lehmann. The following were her baptismal verses written in German on her baptismal certificate.
2 Thessalonians 3:16 “Now the Lord of peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all”. Matthew 28:19 “Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Ghost”.
Mark 1:9 “And it came to past in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized of John in Jordan”. Mark 10:14 “But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased and said unto them, ‘Suffer the little children to come unto me and forbid them not, for such is the Kingdom of God’”. Mark 16:16 “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, but he that believeth not shall be dammed”.
Velma was confirmed on September 2, 1934 at St. Paul Lutheran Church, northwest of Deshler, by Pastor G.A. Spring. Her confirmation verse was from John 16:23 “Verily, verily I say unto you, whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, He will give it to you”. Velma graduated from Ruskin High School in May 1939.
On February 15, 1942, she was united in marriage to Edgar Koch at Zion Lutheran Parsonage southwest of Deshler by Pastor Werner J. Hauer. This union was blessed with two daughters, Joyce and Barbara and one son, Fred. After working many years as a bookkeeper at Reinke’s, Velma retired and enjoyed gardening, yard work, volunteer work and babysitting.
Her greatest pride and joy were her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a member of St. Peter Lutheran Church and American Legion Auxiliary, Deshler, Nebraska. Velma passed from this life Thursday, May 16, 2019 at the age of 98 years.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Edgar, infant sister, and brothers Erwin, Ernst and wife Jane, and Melvin. Those left to remember Velma are children Joyce and Allen Schardt, Carleton, NE, Barbara and James Brettmann, Grand Island, NE and Fred and Susan Koch, Urbandale, IA; 7 grandchildren: Michael & Debra Schardt, Carleton, NE; Katherine & Douglas Holtzen, Davenport, NE; Gayle & Nathan Wichman, Omaha, NE; David & Tiffany Brettmann, Omaha, NE; Jodi & Justin Dubbs, Grand Island, NE; Elizabeth & Ryan Hansen, Macomb, IL; Lisa Koch, Kansas City; great-grandchildren: Krista & Chase Winter, Omaha, NE; Joel & Jennifer Schardt, Carleton, NE; Emilie Schardt, Carleton, NE; Brett Holtzen and special friend Megan Grote, Lincoln, NE; Jennifer Holtzen, Davenport, NE; Claire Wichman & Ryan Wichman, Omaha, NE; Gracie Brettmann & Madeline Brettmann, Omaha, NE; Brooke Dubbs & Morgan Dubbs, Grand Island, NE; and Sophie Hansen & Jacob Hansen, Macomb, IL; and great-great-grandchild Baby Winter; along with many other relatives and friends. Memorials go to St. Peter Lutheran Church, Deshler or Parkview Haven Nursing Home, Deshler.
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