Velma Bradley, 101

Velma Bradley passed away peacefully at Brendan House nursing facility on May 13, 2015, ten days after her 101st birthday.

After experiencing health problems, she moved from her home of about 50 years in October 2014, moving to Brendan House where she made several new friends with her winning ways and contagious smile. She had lived alone since her husband’s passing in 1976.

Velma was born on May 3, 1914, in Polson to Baptiste and Appolonia (Wilhelm) Couture. Velma’s father was an active musician, farmer and mill-right. Her mother died in her early 20s of tuberculosis when Velma was 3 and her sister, Eula, was 2. the girls lived with various relatives in several states during their early childhood, eventually moving to Kalispell to live with their aunt and uncle, Caroline and Louie Fry where Velma attended and graduated from Flathead County High School in 1932.

Velma’s favorite employment, of many various jobs while growing up as a young woman, was working for a dude ranch near Marion, where she enjoyed meeting the people and the horseback rides she was allowed to participate in when assisting with meals on day trips. Her most enjoyable and rewarding job, however, was being a homemaker for her husband and raising their four children as well as being the leader of various youth organizations.

When Velma was 22 she met her future husband, Elmo Bradley, while walking to work where she was employed as a switchboard operator at the telephone company in Kalispell and he was working at the Studebaker Garage as a bookkeeper. The couple double-dated with friends for nearly a year and in 1937 both couples went to Missoula to elope. Elmo and Velma raised four children together: Joan, Diane, David and Janis.

Velma coped with life’s difficulties by “trying to look at the bright side, and by trying to relax and not be too disappointed,” and to “keep things on an even keel.” Her favorite saying was, “old age isn’t for sissies.” Her favorite place of all was Kaui, Hawaii, where she celebrated many birthdays, the last one being when she was 99 years old. Velma was a mother to many, a friend to all, and always showed her love and affection with a beautiful smile.

Velma was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Elmo; her sister, Eula Schumacher and her son-in-law, Tom Barton. She also leaves behind her beloved kitty, Pokey.

She is survived by her four children, Joan Stahlberg and husband, Bryan of Columbia Falls; daughter Diane Pelech and husband, Frank of Kalispell; son David Bradley of Missoula; and Janis Marshall and husband, Bryan of Bradenton, Florida; seven grandchildren, Bradley Barton and wife Laurie of Boise, Idaho, Barbara Kiger and husband Jerry of Sparks, Nevada, Beverly Wellman and husband Todd of Henderson, Nevada, Mia Wolf and husband Shawn of Port Orchard, Washington, Shawn Bradley and wife Julie of Missoula, Aaron Vandelaar and wife Carol of Anchorage, and Valee Stahlberg of Brentwood, Tennessee, and ten great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.

Viewing will be noon to 6 p.m. Thursday, May 21, at Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home. Velma’s service will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, May 22, at the Central Christian Church, 240 Second Ave. E., Kalispell.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for the family.