Velma Monroe

Velma Monroe, 94, of Charles City, died October 9, 2011, at Cedar Health in Charles City.

Memorial services for Velma Monroe will be held 4 p.m. Friday at the First Congregational Church UCC. Pastor Forrest Cornelius will officiate. Inurnment will be at a later date.

Velma Beulah Anderson Monroe was born April 23, 1917, in Osage, the daughter of Albert and Lydia (Snively) Anderson. Velma grew to be a teenager on a farm near Orchard. When her brother Cleo died of a fever at the age of 14, the family left the farm and went back to Osage where Velma finished school and worked in the law office of Ray Cummins. On August 31, 1940, she married Stan Monroe and moved to Charles City where she lived for 55 years in the same white frame house on Clark Street teaching her sons Craig and Tom to respect all people. She was Deputy County Recorder of Floyd County for 12 years. Velma spent a lifetime devoted to the First Congregational United Church of Christ and sang in their choir for over 50 years. She also sang at the wedding and funerals of hundreds of her neighbors and, as a young mother, sang at the city band concerts in Central Park. She was a member of P.E.O. CY for 50 years and the Pythian Sisters for 60 years. Velma was a regular fixture at Charles City golf courses, carding a hole-in-one at both the Wildwood and Cedar Ridge Golf Course.

All mothers preach, “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.” Velma Monroe lived it. No one ever heard an unkind word pass Velma’s lips. There wasn’t an ounce of mean in her gentle spirit or a kinder, more caring soul than Velma Monroe. You look in the dictionary under “love” and you’ll find her picture. Some say she’s with God now, but she always has been.

Living family members include two sons, Craig (Sharyn) Monroe of Denver, Colo. and Thomas (Patti) Monroe of Houston, Tex.; five grandchildren; and eight great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband on February 26, 2006; and a brother, Cleo Anderson.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the First Congregational Church, 502 North Jackson Street, Charles City, IA 50616.

The Hauser Funeral Home, (641) 228-2323, in Charles City, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.hauserfh.com.