Velma L. Eller

Velma was born in Fort Dodge, Iowa, on July 20, 1917, and died October 16, 2015, in Portland, Oregon. She was the daughter of George E. and Bernice G. (Buzzelle) Iverson. After graduating from business college, she served as secretary to the commanding officer at the Portland Port of Embarkation during WWII and after the war worked as a legal secretary for a Portland labor attorney.

She met the love of her life, Lyle W. Eller, when he stayed at her mother’s boarding house during the war. The rule of the house was "No dating the boarders," which fell on deaf ears. She said that the first time she danced with Lyle, she knew she was a goner. He was an incredible dancer, and they “just seemed to fit.” "Dinging, Dining and Dancing" would continue to be a big part of their lives. "How could I resist him," she said. "He just kept asking, 'When're you going to marry me? When’re you going to marry me?'" Then one day at the store in the middle of the produce section, she answered, "Oh, I don’t know, a week from Saturday." He let out a whoop and threw his hat in the air. They were married August 5, 1945, and spent nearly 42 years together, raising two daughters. After her children were grown, Velma returned to work at Ironworkers #29 Federal Credit Union. Lyle died in 1987 and Velma missed him until the day she died.

Velma was the ultimate multi-tasker. Lyle used to say that she never sat down until after dark. When she did sit down, she had needlework in her hands. She served two terms as PTA president and chaired committee after committee. She made all of her daughters', niece's and granddaughter's clothes from kindergarten to prom (even a wedding dress) and made Hallowe'en costumes year after year. She was an excellent cook and could have been called the First Foodie. She was never as happy as when her basement cupboards were filled with her canned fruits, pickles, sauces and jellies, and when her two (yes, two) freezers were filled to the brim. She gardened relentlessly and couldn't wait for spring each year. She wrote poetry and sketched. In another life, she could have been a serious artist.

She taught by example and disciplined evenly, equally and quietly. Dinner was around the table at 6 o'clock every night, and she made sure it was about sharing good food and good conversation. ("Never bring your troubles to the table.") Also, she wasn't afraid to embarrass herself in front of her children. One time, she mortified her daughter when she waltzed across the dance floor with a broom in front of all the 8th graders in an effort to get the kids to dance. (It worked; the kids started dancing.) Her daughters' friends wished she were their Mom.

Velma embraced camping and fishing when she married Lyle, and she had it down to a science. Nobody “roughed it” on an Eller camping trip when she packed the car. There were down pillows and blow-up mattresses, a heater for the huge M*A*S*H tent, a mirror, cupboards and portable “sink,” all manner of pots and pans and cutlery, stove and lantern, chairs, cards and games, and a hammer and nails to build camp furniture. She used to laugh that Lyle came home from work and only had to pack four things: the tent, the tarp, and the kids. Her camp tin contained enough provisions to feed an army. She was just about the only person who could find anything in it, too. (Need vinegar? It’s in the brown medicine bottle. Baking powder? In the aspirin container.) She even went hunting with Lyle a few times, but considered herself more of a pointer than a shooter. The trip was the thing.

And, oh, how she loved to travel! She joked that her middle name was "Go." She visited Europe, Alaska and Hawaii. She loved going to Seattle for the Eller reunions and she enjoyed countless railroad and parks department trips with friends and family. When her sister suggested a trip to the beach, she was packed and ready in less than 20 minutes. She had an adventurous spirit. On her 79th birthday she went up in a hot air balloon with the crazier side of the family. The next year, along with the entire Portland-Vancouver clan, she took a jet boat ride down the Rogue River. She bought her first computer at age 90, and for her birthday the same year, she climbed on the back of a Harley-Davidson, waving Queen Elizabeth style as she rode away. She was always up for a little fun.

Velma is survived by daughters Colleen Eller, Portland, and Maureen (Marc) Deahl, Fort Worth, Texas; granddaughter Alexandra Deahl, London, UK; sister Edna Tully, Portland; and numerous, beloved nieces and nephews and their families. She was predeceased by her parents, husband, and brothers Lloyd and Rolland “Bud” Iverson.

Velma is dancing with Lyle now and would want her friends and loved ones to do the same. At her request, there will be no funeral service. She wanted a party. When we can pull everyone together and pick a date and venue, we hope you will all join us in celebrating the remarkable life of Velma L. Eller.