Velma Zelle

Velma was born on August 27, 1931, to Ernest and Bertha (nee Stumme) Platte at rural Readlyn, Iowa. She was the ninth of ten children with two surviving: her sister, Margaret and her brother, Emil. Velma died at Ingleside Manor of Mt. Horeb, WI, on March 31, 2018 at the age of 86. Her faith journey began at her Christian baptism in St. John Lutheran congregation, rural Readlyn. It was there that she also confirmed her Christian faith, and later married Donald Zelle on June 28, 1953. Her journey in faith expanded into the role of a pastor’s wife. She lived in Dubuque, IA, East Pittsburgh, PA, and in the Wisconsin cities of Shawano, Whitewater, and Appleton. After retirement, the couple resided at Keshena, WI, and then Beaver Dam and Verona. In these communities, she shared her Christian Faith by being an office assistant, Christian education teacher, coffee coordinator, and by reading devotionals to residents of the Sonrisas Care Center in Verona, WI. Her chief passion was always her family, all of whom survive: her husband, Donald; and children: Cynthia Stephan (John), Mark Zelle (Darcie), Janine King (Jeffrey), and Drew Zelle (Michelle); their children and grandchildren. She prided herself in assisting each of her four children in choosing a career and was pleased when she had the opportunity to make items out of fabric for them: clothing, quilts, and decorative table runners and wall hangings. Three days after she announced to her meal companions, “I’m ready to go,” she died, having experienced a full and satisfying life. To God be the glory!