CURTIS -- Velma Irene Nelsen of Curtis died Monday, June 20, 2005, in Curtis. She was 82 years old.

She was born Sept. 11, 1922, at Curtis, to Charles A. and Lena Dannehl Ramels. She grew up in Curtis and graduated from the Nebraska School of Agriculture in Curtis in 1939.

On Nov. 1, 1947, she married Robert LeRoy Nelsen, in McCook. To this union, seven children were born.

Velma was a member of the Congregational Church and Congregational Fellowship of Curtis, and volunteered many years at the Congregational Thrift Store. She was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary.

She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, an infant son, Charles, and a sister, Verda Cramer.

Survivors include four daughters, Charlene Johnson and husband, Gaylord, of Hastings, Emily Hayek and husband, Lumir, of Ord, Janice Nelsen of McCook and Lori Tobiasson and husband, Tom, of North Platte; two sons, Don Nelsen and wife, Johnna Rutenber, of Krum, Texas, and Chris Nelsen and wife, Denise, of York; 15 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Visitation is today until 9 p.m., at Blase-Wetzel Funeral Home in Curtis.

Services will be Thursday, June 23, at 1:30 p.m., at the Congregational Church in Curtis, with the Rev. Jean Miller officiating. Burial will be in Fort McPherson National Cemetery at Maxwell.

Memorials may be given to the Congregational Church in Curtis or the Frontier County Rescue Unit.

Blase-Wetzel Funeral Home of Curtis is in charge of arrangements.