Velma H. Case

March 21, 1918-June 17, 2011

BENKELMAN, Nebraska -- Velma Helen (Hansen) Case was born March 21, 1918, to Albert (Bib) and Luella (Stamm) Hansen at their rural home in Yuma County, Colorado.

Velma attended her first two years of school in rural Colorado before moving with her family to Dundy County, Nebraska, where she completed her eighth grade in the rural schools. She graduated from Benkelman High School in 1936, and then taught for two years in rural schools in Dundy County.

She attended Hastings Business College after which she was employed as a a secretary for the Druliner and Hines Law Offices and the county agriculture office.

On Sept. 26, 1940, she was united in marriage to Wilbur Case at the home of her parents, north of Benkelman. They settled in a little house near the sod house that had been Wilbur's family home in Cheyenne County, Kansas. After three and a half years of marriage, they ventured out and purchased the farm just east of Max, Nebraska, where they brought up their two sons, Elmer Lee and James Charles. Wilbur and Velma retired to their new home in Benkelman in June of 1978, when Elmer and his new bride, Tally, took over the farming operation.

At the age of seven years, Velma gave her life to Christ at the little Nazarene Church in Colorado, and at the age of 14, she dedicated her life to Christ at the Pleasant Valley Church in Dundy County.

After their marriage, Wilbur and Velma were active in the South Fork church in Cheyenne County, Kansas. After their move to Nebraska, they became active in the Christian Union Church in Stratton and later they joined the Methodist Church in Benkelman. They participated in the choir and together they sang for many funerals.

Velma taught Sunday school and Bible school for many years. She was a member of the United Methodist Women and the Women's Club, where she served as president. She was a pianist and organist, serving as organist at the Methodist church until past her 90th birthday.

The harmony of Velma's family was a real delight to her. They all enjoyed being together, blending their voices in music and working together at the farm where Velma learned to be adept at operating the farm machinery and raising a garden. She loved to keep house and was an expert at sewing as she made many garments for herself and especially liked to sew for her granddaughters. She also taught her granddaughters the art of sewing.

One of the highlights of Velma and Wilbur's life was the celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary, when the entire family gave a musical concert remembering the events of the their lives.

Velma and Wilbur were privileged to travel together to visit their sons while in college, and also enjoyed several tours to places of interest including the Atlantic, Pacific and Gulf coasts, and Hawaii.

Velma was blessed with much joy and pride in her sons and their wives, her seven granddaughters, and her first great-grandson.

She passed peacefully to her heavenly home on June 17, 2011, while doing her routine household activities. Her life Scripture was Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the Lord will all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths."

Velma was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Wilbur; three brothers and their wives, Tom and Mabel Hansen, Marvin and Velma Hansen, Eugene and Mabel Hansen; brother-in-law, Gus Bartels; and in-laws, Lyle and Ida Case, Ruby and Cecil Holliman, Dwight and Iris Case and Dwayne Case.

She is survived by her two sons and their wives, Elmer and Tally Case of Max and Jim and Ruth Case of Burton, Michigan; seven granddaughters, Beth Case and Becky Case of Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, Wendy Case of Cleveland, Ohio, Maria Case of Dearborn, Michigan, Heather and husband, Billy Walker of Del Rio, Texas, Christina Case of Lincoln, Nebraska, and Annette and husband, Wooddy Miller of Fairburn, Ohio; one great-grandson. Michael Walker; her sister, Margie Bartels of Wauneta, Nebraska; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Visitation is Thursday, 4-8 p.m., MDT, at Forch Funeral Chapel in Benkelman.

Funeral services are Friday, 10:30 a.m., at the Benkelman United Methodist Church with the Revs. Brian Fong and Jim Case officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Billy Graham Evangelistic Association or Gideon's International.

Forch Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements