Velma 'Vel' R. DeWeese, 101

Velma "Vel" R. DeWeese, 101, "went to her eternal home in heaven" on Sunday, April 22, 2007, at the Immanuel Lutheran Home, one month after her 101st birthday. She was born March 27, 1906, three miles south of Creston to early-day pioneers Joseph Calvin and Mary Ellen (Elliot) Dyer. She was the last survivor of eight siblings.

Velma attended grade school at Creston. She and her five sisters milked cows each morning before walking three miles to school. When she was young, there wasn't a lot of time for fun on the Dyer ranch, as there were too many chores.

She graduated from Flathead County High School in 1925. After graduation, Velma moved to Spokane and worked as a hostess at the Davenport Hotel dining room. She and her new best friend, Evelyn, later moved to San Francisco to "seek their fortunes." It was there Velma met and married Jess Larson. They both loved the City by the Bay. Fisherman's Wharf was a favorite hangout for Velma and Evelyn and their husbands. After a night of dancing, they would go to the wharf and pick live crab and lobster from the barrels and cook them in the pots for a feast on the wharf.

Velma and Jess owned and operated various businesses in the Bay area. After Jess' untimely death, she continued as a businesswoman. She weathered the tests of the Great Depression of the 1930s, even though times were tough.

Velma met and married Everett "Eddie" DeWeese in 1948. They later moved to Salem, Ore., where they owned and operated a dry-cleaning business for many years. After selling the business they moved to Dallas, Ore., and bought a ranch and fruit-and-nut orchard. They remained in the Dallas area until Eddie's death in 1987.

Velma was very active in Eastern Star, both in California and Oregon. She achieved the highest rank of the Order. Her father was a charter member of the Masonic Lodge in Kalispell.

Velma returned to Kalispell in 1989 to lived near her sister and other family members.

She was an excellent seamstress, and fashioned and tailored much of her own wardrobe. Her knitting skills also were to be admired. Velma knitted many items and made crafts for the church bazaar. She was a world traveler and always encouraged her family to "go while you can."

She loved family events, and her contribution was to bring her famous lemon meringue pie.

Velma enjoyed playing pinochle with her friends at the Kalispell Senior Center and at the Buffalo Hill Terrace. She lived independently at the Terrace until a recent stroke forced her to move to Immanuel Lutheran Home.

Velma was a long-time member of the Baptist Church in Dallas, Ore., and attended Central Christian Church in Kalispell.

She was always upbeat regardless of her situation. Her sharp mind and good eyesight served her well to the end.

Velma loved her D.A. Davidson family, especially Ron, Tyler and Becky, who hosted and honored her at her last three birthday parties: 99, 100, 101. She was especially proud of the letter from the president of D.A. Davidson Corp., congratulating her and stating she was their oldest living client.

Velma was preceded in death by all of her siblings, including brothers, Bill, Burt and John Dyer; and sisters, Etta Sholman, Bernice Fagerland, Ellen Fagerland, Joy Plummer and Grace Anderson Vestre; and a number of nieces and nephews. She was also preceded in death by her dear and close friend, Evelyn Ruckman, of Antelope, Calif., who just celebrated her 100th birthday.

Velma is survived by nieces and nephews, Lew and Brenda Anderson, Allan and Phyllis Clark, Doris Handford, Alicia Fagerland and Chuck Pacheco, all of Kalispell, Anna Mae and Gene Paul of Rapid City, S.D., and Sandra and Jerry Yonke of Port Ludlow, Wash. Also surviving are numerous great, great-great and great-great-great nieces, nephews and cousins.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, April 26, in the Johnson Mortuary chapel, with Pastor Jan Van der Poll officiating. Burial will be at the Restlawn Memorial Cemetery in Salem, Ore. At Velma's request, there will be no public viewing. She will be laid to rest next to her late husband, Eddie DeWeese.

Johnson Mortuary and Crematory is caring for Velma's family.