Skola, Velma E.

Celebration of Life services for Velma E. Skola, 93, of Kalona, who passed away peacefully in her home on Friday, Oct. 25, 2013, are 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 1, at the United Christian & Baptist Church, Kalona. Burial will be in Sharon Hill Cemetery, Kalona. Visitation will be Thursday, Oct. 31, from 2 to 7 p.m. at Peterseim Funeral Home, Kalona.

Condolences may be sent to www.peterseimfuneral

home.com.

Velma was born Jan. 23, 1920, on a farm near Ainsworth, Iowa, daughter of Mitchell and Nellie Spreacker. The family moved to Kalona in 1934 and Velma graduated from Kalona High School in 1938. Velma married Ferd Skola on June 1, 1940.

Over the years, Velma loved being involved in the community, serving as a member on several boards and committees, including Farmers Savings Bank, Pleasantview Retirement Home, Kalona Library Foundation, Idris Club and the Kalona Historical Society. Recently, she received the Community Leadership Award from the City of Kalona for her charity and leadership to the community and for her large donation to the Kalona Library, where a room is named in her honor.

She was active in the Republican Party and at the Historical Village, serving as a tour guide and also served as a Kalona tour guide for 20 years. She was inducted into the Mid Prairie Community School Foundation Wall of Fame for the Skolas' long history of giving to the community. Velma continued the F.E. Skola Scholarship Fund each year and enjoyed meeting and interviewing the young applicants.

Velma loved sports, especially playing golf at Kalona Golf Club on their sand greens years ago and supporting this course over the years. Golfing at Old Kinderhook, Camdenton, Mo., where she had a home, was a special treat. She also enjoyed the University of Iowa football and basketball games and her love of baseball as a Cubs fan.

Music was one of her passions as a soloist, a member of the choir, and a bell ringer at the Christian & Baptist Church, where she was a member for over 50 years. Another passion was making flower arrangements for the church, for sales at bazaars and fundraisers, and for family and friends. She was very involved in the church and didn't miss a day.

She enjoyed her outings with the Golden Girls, having dinner at Tuscan Moon and sharing stories about Kalona.

Most of all, she had such love, patience and understanding for her family and friends. She was always there for them, and they all loved her so.

Velma's entire life revolved around her family, her friends, her church, the community, and the Farmers Savings Bank. Her family and friends will miss her positive personality and spirit.

Those surviving this great lady are daughters, Sally (Joe) Harper, Davenport, and Sue Ann (Bob) Delmark, Argyle, Texas; sons, Larry Skola, Blue Grass, and Jan (Cindy) Skola, Camdenton, Mo.; grandchildren, Andy Skola, Iowa City, Chris Skola, Iowa City, Natalie (Micah) Orsinger, Phoenix, Ariz., Andrea (Benjamin) Summers, Austin, Texas, Blake (Monica) Skola, Lee's Summit, Mo., JR (Laura) Skola, Cedar Rapids, Gage Skola, Ripon, Calif., and Trey (Jennifer) Delmark, Austin, Texas; nieces, nephews and great-grandchildren.

Velma was preceded in death by her husband, Ferd; her parents; brother, Howard Spreacker; and twin sister, Thelma Michum.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Kalona Library Foundation, Kalona Historical Village or the United Christian & Baptist Church.

Published Oct. 28, 2013 in The Gazette