Home > United States of America > Colorado > Phillips County > Holyoke > Holyoke Memorial Park > Velva Ferne Brethouwer Heimer

Velva Ferne Brethouwer Heimer

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Birth	:	10 Aug 1916 Holyoke, Phillips County, Colorado, USA
Death	:	14 Nov 2007
Burial	:	Holyoke Memorial Park, Holyoke, Phillips County, USA
Coordinate	:	40.5736744, -102.2816420
Description	:	Holyoke Enterprise, Holyoke, Colorado, November 29, 2007 Velva Ferne Brethouwer Heimer was born August 10, 1916 and died November 14, 2007. Velva knew about personal problems, but looked toward God. Her victorious life was filled with challenges from her premature birth through a life fraught with personal medical difficulties, the loss of a son and the death of her husband of 67 years, Harold, 15 months ago. The fact Velva even survived 91 years after being born prematurely on a homestead 14 miles south of the main intersection in Holyoke in 1916 is amazing. Born to Otto and Bessie Brethouwer, Velva weighed five... Read More	Holyoke Enterprise, Holyoke, Colorado, November 29, 2007 Velva Ferne Brethouwer Heimer was born August 10, 1916 and died November 14, 2007. Velva knew about personal problems, but looked toward God. Her victorious life was filled with challenges from her premature birth through a life fraught with personal medical difficulties, the loss of a son and the death of her husband of 67 years, Harold, 15 months ago. The fact Velva even survived 91 years after being born prematurely on a homestead 14 miles south of the main intersection in Holyoke in 1916 is amazing. Born to Otto and Bessie Brethouwer, Velva weighed five and one-half pounds. Her incubator was "shoe box size." Both Velva and her sister Vera "started piano" on an instrument purchased when Velva sold a heifer. Music and singing were always important parts of their lives. When it was time for Velva to attend high school, her family moved to Holyoke where Velva often worked with her dad in the grocery business. Velva was a gifted learner and had the discipline to study. She used to tell her 11 grandchildren she was always "more curious than cautious." She graduated from Phillips County High School in 1933, and attended Colorado State Normal School (now UNC) in Greeley on an academic scholarship. Velva graduated with majors in science and math and minors in speech and English. In Greeley, Velva began her career in Bible teaching with a class of junior boys at the Christian Church. To earn a little extra money, she typed a thesis for a graduate student named James A. Michener. Following her graduation from college, Velva took a position teaching high school in Wray. In the late 1930s, women were not allowed to teach science and math, she began by teaching English. Persuading the school board she was capable, Velva was allowed to teach math and science in her second year. Her professional teaching career ended when she married Harold Heimer in July of 1939. Her salary prior to "retirement" was $96 per month. After marrying Harold, the newly wed Heimers rented "the Owens place." Velva was always interested in progressive homemaking and farm management, and was associated with the Jolly Dozen Home Extension Club for more than 50 years. Harold and Velva's eldest son Norman was born while they were on the Owens place. He and his wife Myrna have three children: Neal, Kyle and Gail. In November of 1940, Harold and Velva bought the "old Summer's place" four miles south and one mile west of Holyoke where they lived for the next 42 years. Velva bore three more sons. Dale and his wife Janet have two grown daughters: Kristen and Jayne. Wayne and his wife Karen have two children: Carrie and Mark. The fourth son Lloyd was killed in a farm accident 30 years ago. His widow Abby raised their three children: Matt, Sara, Amy and Velva's step-granddaughter Jessie. Velva delighted in her boys and grandchildren, investing her considerable talents in their futures. Velva taught Sunday school to scores of young people and led women's bible studies in Holyoke Christian Church. She also played piano and sang in choirs and ensembles for many years, but her special love was teaching high school students. Beyond having an encyclopedic knowledge of the bible and an amazing memory, Velva believed, with a knowing certainty, that Christianity is a practical way of living, and that if one "seeks first the kingdom of God," everything else will fall into place. She lived as a worthy example of this philosophy, and passed it along to all who were willing to receive it. Velva's creed, passed on particularly to her sons, was "Know not only what you believe, but why you believe it….then do it." Velva was a strong woman, but with a kind softness that developed over generations. She was well pleased with her life of service through investing in the future of others. As time wore on, Velva's body wore out. She had nearly every human ailment possible, yet kept persevering. Velva's helper Kathryn Jacoby became her friend after Harold's death, and allowed Velva to stay in her home until her body simply quit her. Her funeral service was held at the Christian Church in Holyoke Monday, November 19 with Pastor Jim Blake officiating. Interment immediately followed at Holyoke Memorial Park. Baucke Funeral Home of Holyoke directed the service.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Velva Ferne Brethouwer Heimer's memorial?
Velva Ferne Brethouwer Heimer's memorial is located at: Holyoke Memorial Park, Holyoke, Phillips County, USA.
When did Velva Ferne Brethouwer Heimer death?
Velva Ferne Brethouwer Heimer death on 14 Nov 2007 in
Where are the coordinates of the Velva Ferne Brethouwer Heimer's memorial?
Latitude: 40.5736744
Longitude: -102.2816420

Family Members:

Parent

Otto Brethouwer

(1889 - 1966)

Bessie Pearl Powell Brethouwer

(1895 - 1983)

Spouse

Harold B Heimer

(1917 - 2006)

Children

Lloyd Dean Heimer

(1944 - 1977)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Holyoke Memorial Park
Holyoke, Phillips County, USA
Coordinate: 40.5736744, -102.2816420

2. Dunkard Cemetery
Amherst, Phillips County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6438000, -102.1356400

3. Pleasant Valley Cemetery
Yuma, Yuma County, USA
Coordinate: 40.5498000, -102.0909000

4. Posegate Cemetery
Paoli, Phillips County, USA
Coordinate: 40.5849991, -102.4753036

5. Pleasant Valley Cemetery
Phillips County, USA
Coordinate: 40.5494003, -102.0899963

6. Amherst Cemetery
Phillips County, USA
Coordinate: 40.7056007, -102.1603012

7. Paoli Cemetery
Paoli, Phillips County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6286011, -102.4832993

8. Jarvis Cemetery
Phillips County, USA
Coordinate: 40.5060997, -102.5117035

9. Fairfield Cemetery
Paoli, Phillips County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6934000, -102.5126000

10. Greenlawn Cemetery
Lamar, Chase County, USA
Coordinate: 40.5231018, -101.9783020

11. Woodham Cemetery
Sedgwick County, USA
Coordinate: 40.7924995, -102.4105988

12. Venango Cemetery
Venango, Perkins County, USA
Coordinate: 40.7416992, -102.0175018

13. Haxtun Cemetery
Haxtun, Phillips County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6436000, -102.6372000

14. Johnson Cemetery
Wauneta, Yuma County, USA
Coordinate: 40.3072960, -102.1701590

15. Brower Ranch Cemetery
Eckley, Yuma County, USA
Coordinate: 40.3378230, -102.5000080

16. Bryant Cemetery
Phillips County, USA
Coordinate: 40.4728012, -102.6382980

17. Green Cemetery
Julesburg, Sedgwick County, USA
Coordinate: 40.8650000, -102.2284090

18. Hughes Cemetery
Dundy County, USA
Coordinate: 40.3224983, -102.0500031

19. Rockland Cemetery
Rockland, Logan County, USA
Coordinate: 40.4522031, -102.6924118

20. Pleasant View Cemetery
Crete, Chase County, USA
Coordinate: 40.4375000, -101.8557968

21. Chase Cemetery
Chase, Chase County, USA
Coordinate: 40.5525017, -101.8078003

22. Fort Sedgwick Post Cemetery
Sedgwick County, USA
Coordinate: 40.9430477, -102.3804646

23. Hillside Cemetery
Julesburg, Sedgwick County, USA
Coordinate: 40.9692001, -102.2406006

24. Wilson Family Ranch Cemetery
Wray, Yuma County, USA
Coordinate: 40.1710270, -102.3002510