Velma Irene Parr, 91, of Ontario died peacefully while surrounded by her family Friday, Jan. 22, 2010, at Vernon Memorial Hospital in Viroqua.
She was born in the town of Sterling, Vernon County, on May 27, 1918, to Elmer and Caroline (Hotlen) Knutson. On June 27, 1934, she married Victor Parr in Richland County. They farmed in the La Farge area for several years, and then moved to a farm near Wilton, where they farmed and worked at Tillman Produce. They moved to the Ontario area in the early 1950s. Velma worked at Vernon Manor until her retirement. After her retirement, she was able to spend more time with her beloved husband, Victor, and his horses as well care for their garden.
She also had time to enjoy her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren, whom she loved dearly. After Victor died, she sold the family home and moved to Ontario to Valley View Apartments. She truly loved her apartment, her flowers and the other tenants. Velma was a member of Community Baptist Church and enjoyed spending time with her church family. She was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary.
She is survived by three daughters, Beverly Cappozzi of Cheektowaga, N.Y., and friend Don Rottger of Buffalo, N.Y., Carolyn (Fred) Blum of Janesville and Patricia (Mark) Flock of Norwalk; one son, Joey (Clara) Parr of Ontario and Elisabeth Parr of Janesville; 11 grandsons, Alan and Michael Cappozzi, Richard, Ronald, Rodney and Robert Hanson, David and Steven Parr, and Daniel, Christopher and Matthew Flock; 13 great-grandchildren; 5 great-great-grandchildren; 15 step-grandchildren; 32 step-great-grandchildren; 19 step-great-great-grandchildren; a brother, Virgil Knutson of La Farge; and nieces, nephews, other relatives and a host of very dear friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Victor; her parents; two sisters, Marie Peterson and Helen Appleman; a brother, Earl (Happ) Knutson; a stepbrother, Art Hogan; two sons-in-law, Tony Cappozzi and Richard Hanson; a grandson, Anthony Cappozzi; seven brothers-in-law, Paul Peterson, Darrell Appleman, Alton, Eldon and Fay Parr, Basil Melvin and Everett Downing; and six sisters-in-law, Bessie, Kathleen, Rosie Parr, Esther Melvin, Nettie Downing and Palma Hogan Suiter.
Funeral services were at 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 25, at Community Baptist Church, Ontario. Pastor Bruce Milleman officiated. Burial followed in Hilltop Rest Cemetery, Ontario. The Torkelson Funeral Home of Ontario assisted the family with arrangements. Online condolences are at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.
