Ackley, Velma Jean

Velma Jean Ackley, 76, died Thursday, Nov. 11, 2010, at Crestview Acres in Marion following a courageous battle with Alzheimer's disease. Services: 10 a.m. Monday at St. James United Methodist Church, Cedar Rapids, by the Rev. Beth Mary Harbaugh. Burial: Spring Grove Cemetery, Covington. Friends may visit Sunday from 2 to 6 p.m. at Teahen Funeral Home in Cedar Rapids and again Monday after 9 a.m. at the church.

Velma is survived by four daughters, Gail Kester (Tom Clark) of Marion and Cathy (Rick) Henry, Lynn Terronez and Jodie Kueber (Brian Jacoby), all of Cedar Rapids; son, Jim (Denise) Ackley of Toddville; two brothers, Richard (Arleta) Wilson of Mesa, Ariz., and Robert (Novella) Wilson of Oelwein; and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, James; her parents, Edward and Iantha; sister, Letha Miller; and two brothers, Edward and Donald Wilson.

Velma was born March 29, 1934, in Arlington, the daughter of Edward and Iantha Matice Wilson. She graduated from Arlington High School. Following high school she proudly worked for J. Edgar Hoover with the FBI. Velma married James Lee Ackley on April 6, 1952, in Warrensburg, N.Y. She worked in the Central Services Department at St. Luke's Hospital for 21 years, retiring July 28, 2005.

Velma enjoyed gardening and decorating her yard for the holidays. She loved spending time with her grandchildren and going to the casino. Making homemade candies for Christmas and taking them to work at Central Services for her co-workers to share was one of her special treats.

Memorials may be directed to the family.

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