Velma Pate

VELMA PATE

Cedar Rapids

The angels from above gently lifted Velma into heaven to join her husband, Paul. She was surrounded by her loving family and dear friends during her final days at home. She fought a courageous battle with cancer for over six years, but continued to maintain an active social and travel life. Velma was truly an inspiration to others.

Visitation will be Tuesday, Feb. 23, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Teahen Funeral Home, Cedar Rapids. Funeral services will be Wednesday, Feb. 24, at 11 a.m. First United Methodist Church, Marion, by Pastor Keith Nester. Burial: 2 p.m. at Dunkard Cemetery.

Velma was born April 18, 1939, in Ottumwa, Iowa, to Hazel (McBeth) and Floyd McConnell. She attended Ottumwa High School and graduated with an associate degree from Kirkwood Community College. She married Paul D. Pate on Nov. 24, 1956, at Wildwood Evangelical Free Church in Ottumwa. Their marriage of over 53 years was a wonderful example of true love. They had a wonderful life together and touched the lives of many with their kindness, support and love.

Shortly after their marriage they moved to Cedar Rapids, where Velma worked at Nash Finch and Merchants National Bank. As a true marriage partner, Velma was active in supporting her husband's business endeavors.

She dearly loved her family and many friends. In her early years, Velma and Paul enjoyed many boating and camping vacations with several of her siblings. They built their first home together on Seminole Valley Road. In the mid 1970s, they installed an in-ground swimming pool and hosted hundreds of pool parties, where family and friends enjoyed laughter and sharing fun.

Velma had a very special and close bond with her grandchildren, Jennifer, Amber and Paul, and loved them with all her heart. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were a part of her daily life and she was actively involved in all of their activities. Paul and Velma always had a car seat buckled in their car or truck so one of the grandkids could ride along and stay overnight with them. They would often laugh that at age 70 they still drove around with a car seat in the back seat as they never wanted to miss a moment to spend time with their grandchildren.

When not spending time with family, she loved to read, knit, crochet, do crafting with friends, walking, bicycling, flowers and bird watching. She had a great interest in genealogy and spent several years researching, traveling and documenting her family history. Velma enjoyed many amazing travel adventures with her family and grandchildren. She traveled to over half of the states and several countries in Europe and South America. She was an avid Hawkeye fan and Velma and Paul attended several football bowl games together many times, taking one of their grandchildren with them.

Velma was a member and faithfully attended First United Methodist Church. Her strong faith in the Lord guided her throughout her life.

She was appointed Honorary Friendship Ambassador for the State of Iowa. Velma loved her Red Hat friends, retirement gatherings with the Golden Girls from Merchants National Bank and her great friends from the Rockwell Fitness Center.

Surviving are two sons, Paul (Jane) of Cedar Rapids and Donald "Buster" (Lorri) of Hiawatha; three grandchildren, Jennifer Pate and Amber (Curtis) Nelson, both of Marion, and Paul Pate III of Cedar Rapids; five great-grandchildren, Brandon, Chloe, Adalynn, Hope and Nolan; stepgrandchildren, R.C. (Anne) Hard, Kacy (Shawn) Witten, Jason Hard and Kristalyn Irving, and their children, Austin Witten, Shalynn Hard, Colton Irving, Jaden Hard, Rylee Gearhart and Dalton Rider; eight siblings, Dorothy Adamson, Salina, Kan., Von (Lillian), Cedar Rapids, Adella (Ron) Powders, Arkansas City, Kan., Erwin (Dixie), Alberta (Dale) Stanek and Dwight (Vickie), all of Cedar Rapids, Marcene (Jim) Powers, Albia, and Alice Roberts, Oskaloosa; and sisters-in-law, Roberta McConnell of Cedar Rapids and Fern Pate of Omaha, Neb. In addition, Velma had numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul, in March 2010; twin brother, Virgil; and brothers, Junior and Don; and sisters, Doris and Thelma Jean.

Thoughts, memories and condolences may be left at www.teahenfuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be directed to the American Cancer Society or First United Methodist Church at 1298 Seventh Ave., Marion, IA 52302.

A special thank-you for the great care and support provided by Dr. Thomas Warren and Leslie Vancura as well as the nurses and staff at PCI and Mercy Hospice Care.