Baum, Velma M.

Velma M. Baum, 95, of Dyersville, died Saturday, July 9, 2011, at Oak Crest Manor, Dyersville. Friends may call from 3 to 7 p.m. Monday at Kramer Funeral Home, Dyersville, where a parish Scripture service will be held at 4 p.m. and a Catholic Daughters of Americas rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 12, at St. Francis Xavier Basilica with burial in the church cemetery. The Rev. Dennis Quint will officiate.

Velma was born March 19, 1916, the daughter of Casper and Emma Strahle Arduser. She married Jerome A. Baum on April 20, 1938, in Sand Springs, Iowa.

Velma was a member of American Legion Auxiliary No. 137 and enjoyed playing cards, bingo, fishing, traveling and watching many sporting events, especially the Chicago Cubs and Bulls. During any given day during basketball or football season, you would also find Velma cheering for her Iowa Hawkeyes.

She loved to hear and tell a good story, but most of all Velma was about family. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were precious to her and she enjoyed entertaining and playing with them.

Survivors include her four sons, Donald Baum of Marshalltown, William (Barbara) Baum of Dubuque, Jay (Kathy) Baum of Germantown, Tenn., and Loras (Betty) Baum of Dyersville.

Velma is also survived by nine grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren; siblings, Casper Donald (Elverna) Arduser and Mildred Gerdes, both of Monticello; and in-laws, Clarence Baum and Lois (E.M.) Batchelder.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Jerome in 1991; and siblings, Clara, Gertrude, George and Clifford.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Hospice of Dubuque or the Dyersville Health Foundation.

Online condolences may be left for the family at .

Velma's family would like to offer a special thank you to Oak Crest Manor, Ellen Kennedy Living Center and Hospice of Dubuque.