Velma A. Kleinschmidt, age 92, of Merrill, died Saturday, March 23, 2013, at Ministry Good Samaritan Health Center, Merrill.
Velma was born on February 14, 1921, in Merrill, daughter of the late Arthur and Pearl (Zimmerman) Wendorf. She married Elroy Kleinschmidt on November 7, 1944. He preceded her in death in 1966. Velma was a homemaker. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Merrill. Velma loved NASCAR, playing cards, collecting ‘stuff’, using her exercise bike, and camping. Her last camping trip was during the summer of 2011. Velma also enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved playing games with them.
Survivors include five daughters, Lorraine (Harlan) LaPerriere, Linda Engman, Laurel (Robert) Henderson, LuAnn (Robert) Stevenson, and Lisa (Dave) Gervais, all of Merrill; fifteen grandchildren, Shevon (Jeff) Schmeltzer, Nicole (Don) Rohde, Joseph (Angie) Harkner, Heather (Matt) Hoock, Hope Engman, Sara (Kevin) Koss, Dennis Betro, Dustin (Jenny) Henderson, Diane Stevenson, Emily Stevenson, Desirae (Brian) Thomaschefsky, Jessica (Brian Klapper) Boyd-Gervais, Deidre (Jason Ratzlaff) Lemke, Darcy (Travis Dalsky) Lemke, and David Gervais; 23 great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; one brother, Darrell Wendorf, of Merrill; five sisters-in-law, Lois Wendorf, DeEtta (Gene) Kleinschmidt, Judy (Wayne) Kleinschmidt, Joyce ‘Totsy’ Kleinschmidt, and Darlene (Orville) Schult; and one brother-in-law, Arthur Schmidt. Velma was preceded in death by her husband, Elroy; one daughter, Lois; her parents, Arthur and Pearl Wendorf; two sisters, Marion Krueger and Helen Pfeiffer; and an infant brother, Kenneth Wendorf.
The funeral will be at 6:00 P.M. Wednesday, March 27, 2013, at the Taylor-Stine Funeral Home, Merrill. The Rev. Scott Gustafson will officiate. Burial will take place Thursday at Merrill Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 4:00 P.M. Wednesday at the funeral home.
The family would like to thank the Merrill Police Department, the EMT’s, Dr. Waskin, Dr. Anuligo, and Ministry Good Samaritan Health Center E.R. and Med. Surg. nurses for their care of Velma.
Online condolences may be made at www.taylorstinefuneralhome.com