Velma M. Bodaken, longtime resident of Storm Lake, Iowa, died Monday, August 4, 2008, at Methodist Manor Care Center in Storm Lake, one day before her 96th birthday.

Funeral Services for Mrs. Bodaken will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 12, 2008 at St. Mark Lutheran Church in Storm Lake. Interment will be in Storm Lake Cemetery. The Sliefert Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements.

Visitation with the family present will be held on Monday, August 11, 2008 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Sliefert Funeral Home in Storm Lake.

The family suggests that memorial gifts in Velma’s honor be directed to Methodist Manor Care Center in Storm Lake.

Velma Marie Deist was born August 5, 1912 in Smithwick, South Dakota, the daughter of William and Jenny (Moore) Deist. She spent her childhood in Smithwick, until the age of 16, when she departed to attend Secretarial School. She worked as an office secretary for nearly two decades. She took great pride in that work.

In 1948, Velma married Ed Bodaken. After over 30 years, their marriage ended in divorce. Velma felt blessed by the births of her two sons, Mike and Bruce. Velma lived in Storm Lake for over 50 years. There she raised her family and developed close ties to St. Mark Lutheran Church, where she had served as assistant to the Secretary in the church office.

Velma loved sports of all kinds and especially followed high school football, basketball and baseball. Her family recalls that she would often keep box scores while listening to basketball games being played throughout Iowa. Over the years, she became an avid fan of the Chicago Cubs. A real “people person,” Velma loved to dance and play bingo.

She spent the last two decades of her life at Methodist Manor in Storm Lake, where she grew to appreciate those who provided for her and who indulged her in her favorite passion: chocolate.

A devoted mother and grandmother, and friend to many, Velma will be dearly missed by all those who knew and loved her.

Left to cherish her memory are her son, Michael Bodaken and his wife, Fran Bernstein of Silver Spring, Maryland; her son, Bruce Bodaken of Mill Valley, California; grandsons: Conor Bodaken of Mill Valley, California; Ian Bodaken of Tiburon, California; and Alex Bodaken of Silver Spring, Maryland; extended family and friends.

Velma was preceded in death by her parents.