Obituary for Velma Caroline Rudolph
Velma Rudolph, age 97, Aurora, CO, formerly of Watertown, SD passed away Monday June 1st, 2020 in Aurora, CO.
Visitation will start at 1:00 pm and then the funeral service will be at 2:00 pm, Friday, June 19th, 2020 at Wight & Comes Funeral Chapel followed by burial at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Watertown with Reverend Marlyn Kuper to officiate.
The service will be recorded and will be available on our website.
Honorary Pallbearers will be Velma’s grandchildren: Justen Rudolph, Corey Rudolph, Joby Rudolph, Anne Rudolph Bonnett, Jon Rudolph and Dan Rudolph.
Velma Caroline was born October 28th, 1922 in Cosby, Missouri to Henry H. and Clara C. (Schneider) Bunse. She grew up on a farm near Cosby. Velma attended Prairie Valley Grade School and graduated from Savannah High School in 1939. Velma furthered her education by earning her Elementary Teacher’s Degree at Westmar College in LeMars, Iowa in 1944.
Velma and Reverend Ervin Rudolph were united in marriage on June 15th, 1945 at Zion United Methodist Church in Cosby. Her husband’s ministering career took the couple to various towns including; Eldena, Illinois, Drake & Sheldon, North Dakota, Big Stone City, South Dakota and retiring in Watertown, South Dakota. Velma was employed for 20 plus years as an elementary school teacher in Big Stone. Velma and Ervin were married for nearly 58 years before Ervin passed away on May 1st, 2003 in Watertown. To be closer to her family, Velma relocated to Denver, Colorado in 2008.
Velma was a member of Cornerstone United Methodist Church and active in her church, in church camps and as a Bible study leader. She enjoyed her family and friends, teaching school, giving piano lessons, volunteering and reading. Velma always enjoyed being with friends and meeting new friends. She could start up a conversation with anyone and cherished her church family. She was intent on serving the Lord in whatever capacity she could. The love of her life was the Lord, family and friends. She always looked forward to “making the rounds” on the telephone to her family and friends on a regular basis.
Velma is survived by her children, Bruce (Mary) Rudolph of Aurora, CO, Dennis (Deanna) Rudolph of Billings, MT and Rodell (Shelly) Rudolph of Niwot, CO.; her siblings, Jewell (Laveta) Bunse of ST. Joseph, MO and Mae (Robert) Bermond of Easton, MO; six grandchildren; and ten great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Henry & Clara Bunse; her husband, Ervin; her sister, Ruth (Bob Lind); and grandson, Jonathan Rudolph.
The Family would like to thank the staff at Dayton Place and Suncrest Hospice Care of Denver for their dedicated care of Velma.
Memorials can be made to Dakota United Methodist Foundation at dakotasumc.org/foundation.
Wight & Comes Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.
Visitation will start at 1:00 pm and then the funeral service will be at 2:00 pm, Friday, June 19th, 2020 at Wight & Comes Funeral Chapel followed by burial at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Watertown with Reverend Marlyn Kuper to officiate.
The service will be recorded and will be available on our website.
Honorary Pallbearers will be Velma’s grandchildren: Justen Rudolph, Corey Rudolph, Joby Rudolph, Anne Rudolph Bonnett, Jon Rudolph and Dan Rudolph.
Velma Caroline was born October 28th, 1922 in Cosby, Missouri to Henry H. and Clara C. (Schneider) Bunse. She grew up on a farm near Cosby. Velma attended Prairie Valley Grade School and graduated from Savannah High School in 1939. Velma furthered her education by earning her Elementary Teacher’s Degree at Westmar College in LeMars, Iowa in 1944.
Velma and Reverend Ervin Rudolph were united in marriage on June 15th, 1945 at Zion United Methodist Church in Cosby. Her husband’s ministering career took the couple to various towns including; Eldena, Illinois, Drake & Sheldon, North Dakota, Big Stone City, South Dakota and retiring in Watertown, South Dakota. Velma was employed for 20 plus years as an elementary school teacher in Big Stone. Velma and Ervin were married for nearly 58 years before Ervin passed away on May 1st, 2003 in Watertown. To be closer to her family, Velma relocated to Denver, Colorado in 2008.
Velma was a member of Cornerstone United Methodist Church and active in her church, in church camps and as a Bible study leader. She enjoyed her family and friends, teaching school, giving piano lessons, volunteering and reading. Velma always enjoyed being with friends and meeting new friends. She could start up a conversation with anyone and cherished her church family. She was intent on serving the Lord in whatever capacity she could. The love of her life was the Lord, family and friends. She always looked forward to “making the rounds” on the telephone to her family and friends on a regular basis.
Velma is survived by her children, Bruce (Mary) Rudolph of Aurora, CO, Dennis (Deanna) Rudolph of Billings, MT and Rodell (Shelly) Rudolph of Niwot, CO.; her siblings, Jewell (Laveta) Bunse of ST. Joseph, MO and Mae (Robert) Bermond of Easton, MO; six grandchildren; and ten great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Henry & Clara Bunse; her husband, Ervin; her sister, Ruth (Bob Lind); and grandson, Jonathan Rudolph.
The Family would like to thank the staff at Dayton Place and Suncrest Hospice Care of Denver for their dedicated care of Velma.
Memorials can be made to Dakota United Methodist Foundation at dakotasumc.org/foundation.
Wight & Comes Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.