Obit: Overby, Velma Ruth (1919 - 2014)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Overby, Johnson, Young, Peterson, Streff, Best, Enderle

----Source: Banner Journal (Black River Falls, Jackson Co, WI) 9/03/2014

Overby, Velma Ruth (10 August 1919 - 27 August 2014)

Velma Ruth Overby, formerly of Tomah and Hatfield, died Wednesday evening, Aug. 27, 2014, at the home of her daughter and son -in-law in rural Black River Falls, less than a mile from where she was born and raised. She had recently celebrated her 95th birthday.

Velma was born at 8 a.m. Aug. 10, 1919, to Rinehold and Ruth (Johnson) Young on a farm in rural Black River Falls. She was baptized by Pastor Henry Best March 21, 1920, in the witness of her paternal grandmother Ottelia Young and August and Minnie Young. As a young girl, she attended Pine Hill country school. She graduated from Black River Falls High School May 25, 1936, at the age of 16. The following year, she attended teachers training in Black River Falls. She received her certification June 2, 1937. She first taught grades one through eight at O’Brien School in Trempealeau County, then went on to teach grades one through eight in these Jackson County Schools: Trout Run, Pine Hill and Hawk Island. She met and fell in love with another country school teacher, Eugene Howard Overby, from Taylor. Gene had attended teachers training two years earlier and also taught grades one through eight, first at Finn School in Trempealeau County, then at Sandy Plains near Millston.

Gene and Velma were married Feb. 25, 1941, in Waukon, IA. Early in their marriage, they left teaching and moved to Tomah where they started E & O Electronics Service, which later became Overby’s Radio, TV, appliances and Service. To this dynamic union were born three children: Sheila (Chuck) Peterson of Luxemburg, Dean (Maggie) Overby of Tomah and Lynette (Joe) Streff of Black River Falls.

In the 1960s, Gene and Velma taught Dale Carnegie courses throughout western Wisconsin, notably having the largest class ever in Wisconsin at that time, 66 graduates, all from the Black River Falls area. Velma was later employed for many years as a legal secretary in Tomah and at Fort McCoy until retirement.

She enjoyed dancing, boating, water sports, bowling, crafts such as rosemaling, Swedish weaving and card making. During her lifetime, she was a member of many civic organizations, a lifetime member of the American Legion and 75-year member of the Monroe County Extension Homemakers, in which she served several times as county and district director. She also proudly served a number of state posts for the Parent Teacher Association of Wisconsin. Not least of her many varied interest, she was an avid annual deer hunter for some 80-plus years; her last hunt was at the age of 93. She was strong, determined, vivacious and fun-loving. Certainly dearly loved and deeply respected by all who knew her. She proved to us the endurance and heart it takes to persevere through life’s many challenges, even to march on through paralysis was a young woman and several cancers as a senior.

After her husband’s death in 1994, she sold her home in Tomah and moved permanently to her lake property in Hatfield, as area she adored all her life. Even though Velma had enjoyed several careers throughout her lifetime, which touched many lives, her family was all-important to her, it was here constant, and she showed it each day she lived on this earth. So instead of being inconsolable to losing our journey with her, we honor her for the lessons she taught, her un wavering love and understanding, her wonderful smile and her great sense of adventure. She worked hard and sacrificed often to give us so much. Truly, she was one of a kind, our champion, and we are grateful.

She is survived by her three children (names given above), her beloved grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and a few remaining life-long friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, her only sibling, a brother, and a daughter-in-law. Throughout her long life, she endured the passing of many cherished friends and family, and now, we lovingly endure hers.

Memorial funeral services for Velma R. Overby were held at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 31, 2014, at Torgerson’s Funeral Home (715-284-4321) 408 N. Water Street Black River Falls.

Services were conducted by Pastor Phillip M. Enderle, and burial will be at a later date in the Hatfield Cemetery, at Hatfield, on County Trunk E, in the Town of Adams, Jackson County. Relatives and friends called at the funeral home Sunday from 1 p.m. until the time of services at 2:30 p.m.

Online condolences are available at www.torgersonfuneralhome.com.  Torgerson Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.