Velma M. Dehnel

Velma M. Dehnel died after her battle to cancer on Friday, Jan. 3, at the age of 88. She was born Dec. 13, 1925, to Mr. and Mrs. G.M. Schultz of Ritzville on their farm near Paha. She attended Ritzville schools and graduated in 1943. She then went to work at Nabisco Cookie Company in Spokane.

She married Robert (Bob) Dehnel on Oct. 28, 1945, at the Lutheran Church in Ritzville. They farmed for the first few years if their marriage then moved to town where he worked at Pete’s Garage. Velma worked at various places in Ritzville including the Journal Times, the Phillip’s Hardware Store and Werth’s Department Store. In 1966, they moved to Seattle where her husband worked for the City of Seattle and she worked for ABC Record & Tapes. After their retirement they returned to Moses Lake in 1985. Velma lived there until her husband Robert passed. She moved back to Ritzville in 2009.

Velma enjoyed spending time with family and friends. Camping was something they all enjoyed together for many years including many neighborhood kids that were often invited. She belonged to a “bridge card” club for several years and was a member of American Legion and Eagles Auxiliaries. She was a leader for cub scouting and girl scouting and involved in many sport and social activities with her four children. She attended the Lutheran Church. While in Seattle she participated in many arts and craft activities and bazaars. She was quite the artist!

She was preceded in death by her grandson CJ Barker on Dec.16, 2013. She has eight grandchildren and one great granddaughter Brooklyn Dehnel. She is also survived by her sister LaVerne Kautz of Spokane, formally of Ritzville, and many nieces and nephews.

Velma is survived by her four children Rod, Randy and Val (Bob) Wiitala of Ritzville and Donald of Seattle; four grandchildren, Troy, Marcy, Donovan and Randy Jr.

She will be cherished forever and greatly missed.

A memorial service is planned for Friday, Jan. 10, at 1 p.m. at the Danekas Funeral Home at 207 East Main in Ritzville.

Donations in Velma’s honor can be made for the mentally at High West residential, 15035 8th Ave South, Seattle, WA 98148.