Velta Lorraine Stratten

She was born on March 19, 1957, in Ava, Missouri to Ernest and Velma (Willis) Hampton. Before her first birthday, her mother would remarry Gene H. Adams in Harrisonville, Arkansas. They then relocated to Pocatello, Idaho. The following year, on Christmas Eve, her baby sister and lifelong best friend Gloria was born. Throughout the rest of her life, she would lovingly refer to her sister as the best Christmas present that she ever received. Later, she would be blessed with two more lifelong gifts of friendship when her twin brothers Calvin and Brian were born. Velta loved being a big sister to all of them.

On May 9, 1975, she married Leslie E. Stratten in Pocatello, Idaho. The early years of their marriage were spent surrounded by both of their families in Idaho. There they would eventually be blessed with both a daughter Kimberly and a son Michael. Leslie would go on to enlist in the Army and Velta would become a supportive military spouse. They would then be stationed in Ft. Lewis, Wa, Giebelstadt, Germany, back to Ft. Lewis, Wa for a second tour, and then on to Illeshiem, Germany before retiring at their final duty station of Ft. Hood, Texas. When Velta stepped off the plane in Texas in 1998 and felt the warmth of the Texas sun for the first time, she announced that she was finally home and she meant it with all her heart, insisting that they purchase their forever home together in Killeen, Texas.

Of all of their duty stations, Velta loved their time spent in Giebelstadt, Germany the most. She embraced both the German culture and the locals making many dear friends. There she was active in the NCO Wives Club often planning their parties and fundraisers for different events. A talented cook and baker, Velta often spearheaded the catering effort of those social gatherings. She took great joy in baking for the I Company 3rd Avn. Regiments annual holiday party each year. Well known for her fabulous cakes, Velta had the unique honor of being asked by both American and local German couples to create their wedding cakes. During her time in Germany, Velta also enjoyed exploring the small, picturesque villages, medieval fortresses and grand fairy-tale palaces. She would often accompany one of her children on educational field trips to see as much of Germany as she possibly could. The special memories she helped create there would forever endear Giebelstadt to both of her children’s hearts so much so that they would always think of it as their childhood home.

A devoted wife and mother, Velta spent her life creating a warm and welcoming home for her family. Her love of gardening and plants brought life, color and peace to the home. The smell of her homemade meals and baked goods lovingly greeted all who entered. She also kept many hobbies throughout her lifetime that aided in creating her joyful home. Velta was a talented artist who enjoyed both drawing and painting. She especially delighted in painting ceramics for the holidays. She also taught herself how to do embroidery and cross-stitch. She created many elaborate embroidery pieces throughout the years. In Europe she created many beautiful latch-hook rugs. All of the treasures she created traveled with the Stratten family to every duty station proving not only that home is where the heart is but that home is a feeling, not one particular place. Velta’s love for her family was the origin of that feeling.

She was preceded in death by her biological father Ernest Hampton; her mother Velma (Willis) Adams, her stepfather Gene H. Adams and her beloved son Michael R. Stratten.

Left to cherish her memory is her loving husband, Leslie E. Stratten, her daughter Kimberly D. Pota and her son-in-law Alok A. Pota (Cedar Park, Tx). She also leaves behind six grandchildren: Kenneth E. Cunningham (Leander, Tx), Aya J. Louazna (Round Rock, Tx), Danaya D. Jimenez (Cedar Park, Tx), Nicholas J. Stratten (Henderson, Nv), Rajiv A. Pota (San Antonio, Tx) and Mithali A. Pota (Dallas, Tx). She is also survived by her sister; Gloria C. Norman (Pocatello, Id) and twin brothers Calvin D. Adams (Blackfoot, Id) and Brian G. Adams (Pocatello, Id).

Velta reserved a special place in her heart for her long-lost brother Richard D. Hampton. May they one day be reunited in our Celestial Kingdom.

A lifelong animal and nature lover, Velta cherished her time outdoors feeding and admiring the wild birds and small animals. She is preceded in death by many of her dearly beloved pets. Left to mourn her loss alongside her husband Leslie are their two loyal and loving schnauzers, Bogart and Baxter.

Visitation for Velta will be at 10:30 Wednesday, August 26 at Crawford Bowers Funeral Home Chapel in Killeen. A private family funeral service will follow at 11:30 am and burial will be at 1 pm in the Central Texas State Veteran’s Cemetery in Killeen, Texas.