Velma Mae Grendahl

Velma passed peacefully at home surrounded by her loving husband and family at the age of 89.

Velma was born in Sanish, North Dakota on August 19, 1931, one of 11 children of Harley Houser. She attended grades 1-12 in Sanish and then went on to attend Minot Business School. Upon graduation she moved to Las Vegas, Nevada and while there worked in a bank. In August of 1952 she returned to Sanish where she married Dean Winton Grendahl on August 24, 1952. They moved to Norfolk, Virginia where he was stationed in the Navy. After his discharge in 1954 they returned to the Sanish area where they farmed with Dean’s family. In the spring of 1955 their son Gary was born. In the spring of 1957 they purchased and moved to a farm north of Tuttle, North Dakota where their daughter Cindy was born in the summer of 1959. They remained on the farm raising crops, dairy cows, and livestock until the spring of 1967 at which time they moved to Sycamore, Illinois. Velma started work at Duplex Products that fall as a data entry clerk. She was promoted to computer programmer and remained there until her retirement in September 1992.

Velma and Dean then spent a few years traveling around the country in their motorhome before relocating to New Mexico in 1994. In 1999 they moved to the Castle Pines area of Colorado where they remained until her passing.

She was an outstanding cook and baker and her overnight buns and sticky buns were always a welcome treat at any family gathering. Along with traveling Velma enjoyed playing cards with family and friends, bird watching, and an occasional visit to the casinos to try her luck.

She is survived by Dean Grendahl her loving husband for 68 years, son Gary (Julie) Grendahl, daughter Cindy (Larry) Hamilton, Grandchildren Eric (Karla) Grendahl, Danny Hamilton, David Hamilton, Delaney Hamilton, Great Grandson Liam (Eric) Grendahl, six siblings, and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and four siblings.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery which will become their final resting place.

In Remembrance of Velma Mae Grendahl