Velma Delois Chandler, age 88, passed away on July 8, 2025. A visitation will be held on Monday, July 14,2025 from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at McLaren’s Funeral Chapel. There will be a funeral service held after the visitation, beginning at 11:00am. Burial will take place immediately after at Resthaven Cemetery.
Velma was born on April 30, 1937, to Julius and Bessie Karow in Turlock, California. She attended Turlock High School and graduated in 1956. She was an accomplished singer in Glee Club, mixed choir, and she participated in 4H Club, where she received ribbons for her embroidery projects.
Velma was invited on a blind date by her best friend Sue at the Starlight Movie Theater, because Betty, her other friend, wimped out. With a nudge from her mother, she went on the date, where she met an Air Force serviceman from Iowa. When she laid her eyes on him, she couldn’t believe how much he looked like Jeffrey Hunter! When he rounded the hood of the car, her heart dropped out of her chest, and that was the beginning of their story. Velma married Robert “Bob” Chandler November 11, 1956, in Keys, California. After they married in California, they moved to the West Des Moines area. Together they have 4 children, Diana, Timothy, Robin, and Holly
She had many jobs, from AC Ice Cream in Valley Junction, to Thorsten’s Manufacturing, to being a matron at WDMCSD at Valley High School. Velma participated in the PTA Club and occasionally babysat. She loved playing softball with the High Hopes. Velma loved being outside and enjoyed camping, fishing, and family vacations. She adored her grandchildren and great- grandchildren. She made it a point to keep up with watching their sporting events.
Velma is survived by her children, Diana (Gene) Scully, Timothy (Amy) Chandler, Robin (Rich) Carmichael, and Holly (Charlie “Tiny”) Killam; 13 grandchildren, Jimmy, AJ, Tamera, Brittany, Tim, Jacob, Hollie, Jesica, Charlie, Robert, Debra, Katie, and 21 great-grandchildren; brother-in-law, Roy Ivan (TeeCee) Chandler; sisters-in-law, Jennie Wagner and Jeannie Karow.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Bob Chandler; parents, Julius and Bessie Karow; siblings, George (Evelyn) Karow, James (Janet) Karow, Minnie (Jim) Price, Julius Elijah Karow; son-in-laws, Charlie “Tiny” Killam and Richard Carmichael; grandchild, Brock Miller Julin.
