Velma Elaine Mason, 91, formerly of rural Cashton passed away Sunday, Sept. 22, 2013, at the Mayo Clinic Health System in La Crosse.
Velma was born March 6, 1922, to Frank and Rosella (Wessie) (Mains) Currier in the town of Jefferson, near Cashton. She married Herman Mason on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1944, at the home of Velma’s parents. Together they lived at his family’s farm in Avalanche for three years before buying the Currier family farm in Brush Creek, east of Cashton. This is where Velma lived as a child. They lived here for the next 50 years, raising their five children there.
In 1998, they sold the farm and moved to a house by Perch Lake in Sparta. When Velma’s health failed, they moved to the Morrow Home together until Herman passed away May 26, 2009. She continued to reside there under their loving care.
Velma was an avid reader who stayed up on current events all of her life. In her younger years, before she was married, she worked in Viroqua at the hospital, carrying wet laundry up three floors to hang on the clothesline in the attic. She also worked at the shoe stores in Viroqua and Cashton. Velma was an accomplished seamstress who also loved to knit and crochet. She was active and involved within her church and as a 4-H leader. Velma was a gifted baker and cake decorator, and she had a real green thumb when it came to growing beautiful flowers indoors and out. Her talents were many, and the love she had for her family was deep.
Velma is survived by her son, Gary E. (Marge) Mason; three daughters, Avis (Hall) Marino, Janis (Steven) Hanson and Patty (Ervin) Elsen of Sparta; a daughter-in-law, Sheila Mason; a sister, Iva Cade of Viroqua; nine grandsons, Wayne Mason, Michael (Kathy) Mason, Christopher (Angel Strothman) Mason, Scott (fiancée Nicole Batinich) Mason, Brandon (Kristine Ostrem) Hall, Shannon (Becky) Hall, Stacy (Jamie) Hanson, Robbie (Brooke Pederson) Hanson and Jay (Kara) Elsen; one step-grandson, Roger (Anne) Bass; one granddaughter, Penny (Dave) McMurray; one step-granddaughter, Lynne Bass; 26 great-grandchildren; eight step-great-grandchildren; 5 ½ great-great grandchildren; and 2 ½ step-great-great grandchildren; along with many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Velma was preceded in death by her husband Herman; her parents; a son, Alan R. Mason; a sister, Bessie Currier; two brothers and a sister-in-law, Cecil Currier and Raymond (Evelyn) Currier and their daughter Eleanor; and a brother-in-law, Norman Cade, and his daughter-in-law, Carol Cade.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 27, at Grace Community Church in Ontario. Pastor Bruce Milleman will officiate. Burial will follow in Home Cemetery, rural Ontario.
Family and friends are invited for visitation from 5-8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26, at the Torkelson Funeral Home in Ontario. Visitation also will be held at the church Friday from 10 a.m. until the time of service.
The Torkelson Funeral Home of Ontario is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be offered at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.
