Velma R. Steinke

Friday, March 5, 2010

Feb. 1, 1908 - March 2, 2010

CULBERTSON -- Velma Rosetta Steinke, 102, died Tuesday (March 2, 2010) at the El Dorado Manor Home in Trenton.

She was born Feb. 1, 1908, at Oxford, Neb., the daughter of the late Charlie and Mollie (Reinheimer) Williams. Velma spent her early childhood on a farm northwest of McCook and northeast of Culbertson. When Velma started high school her family moved to a farm one mile south of Culbertson. The original building site was washed away by the flood of 1935. Velma graduated from Culbertson High School in 1925.

Velma taught school for three years, one year in a rural school north of Culbertson and two years in Red Willow County.

On April 20, 1929, Velma married Harold Steinke. She planned to be a stay-at-home homemaker but that didn't materialize. Her husband was employed in construction of an ammunition depot at Sidney, Neb., and Velma went with him. When the Sidney construction was completed they moved to Hastings to construct another depot. Due to the harsh winter, construction was halted so they moved to Grand Island and worked in a bomb factory constructing 2,000 pound bombs for use in the European War Theater. Harold received his summons to report for military duty. Following his basic training they were assigned to Fort Pierce, Flo. Velma then followed him to a base in Virginia. When Harold was sent to the European Front Velma returned to Grand Island where her employment was waiting for her. Following Harold's discharge from the military in 1945 they returned to their home in Culbertson, Neb., having been gone for the past three years.

The Steinke's had a pool hall and recreation parlor that Velma's father operated for them while they were in the military. They later purchased a grocery store that they later sold to Rueben Walker. Velma and Harold owned a hardware and implement business that they enjoyed for 17 years. During the 17 years of business Velma was the bookkeeper, clerk, go-pher and general person in charge of daily business.

She always had a sense of service to the community she called home. She was a member of the American Legion Auxillary, the VFW Auxillary, Federated Women's Club and the Community Friday Bridge Club.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold on July 27, 1991; and two sisters, Fayne Grannis and Laura Buzzell.

Vclma is survived by one sister, Veldron Hall of McCook.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Monday, March 8, 2010, at the Herrmann Funeral Chapel in Culbertson, Neb., with Rev. Corey Jenkins officiating. Interment will be in the Culbertson Cemetery.

Visitation will be Saturday, at Herrmann Funeral Home in McCook, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and at Herrmann Chapel in Culbertson on Sunday, 1 p.m. tp 6 p.m.

Memorials may be given in her name.

Herrmann Funeral Home of McCook is in charge of the arrangements.