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Velma Rose Zylstra, 93, of Alta passed away peacefully on Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024.
A Celebration of Life will take place Sunday, Feb. 18, from 1-3 p.m. with a prayer service at 3 p.m. at Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of arrangements.
Velma was born on Nov. 23, 1930, to Frank and Elizabeth (Hemming) Lonneman in Adrian, Minn. She was married to Leland Zylstra on Jan. 20, 1954, at First Presbyterian Church in Little Rock, Iowa. They were blessed with two children: Layton and Lorinda.
Velma was well known for her strong faith and work ethic. As a young girl, she loved helping her father on their family farm. After she was married, Velma played a vital role in all aspects of the Zylstra farming operation, including serving as a bookkeeper for their farming operation, snowmobile dealership, lime truck business, and the antique tractor restoration and sales business. Velma also drove school bus for the Alta Community School District for 31 years, and she cherished each day with the students who affectionately referred to her as “Mrs. Z.”
Velma was also an incredibly kind woman. She enjoyed her many friends in the Alta community, but her greatest love was her family, especially her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She treasured spending time with them whenever she could. In the final year of her life, she was overjoyed to move in with her daughter, Lorinda, and her grandpuppy, Rusty. She socialized with friends, travelled with family, and cheered on the University of Iowa and Iowa State University athletes, especially their basketball teams. Her last months were full of love, kindness and peace.
Left to cherish Velma’s memory include her children: Layton (Becki) Zylstra of Cave Creek, Ariz., and Lorinda Peterson of Alta; her grandchildren: Matthew (Brittney) Zylstra of St. Louis, Mo., Tyler (Ashley) Zylstra of Marion, and Lindsey Peterson (Adam Bockelman) of Sioux Falls, S.D.; and her great-grandchildren: Sophie, Aidan, and Zoey Zylstra; and her extended family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Elizabeth Lonneman; her husband, Leland Zylstra; and son-in-law, Brent Peterson.
