Velma Lorene Jolliffe was born on May 6, 1930, in Knoxville, Iowa. She was the third of six children that were born to Elton Albert and Jessie Lorene Dudley Jolliffe. Velma attended the Knoxville Schools and graduated from Knoxville High School. At a young age Velma began working at the Rolscreen Company in Pella, Iowa where she met Wilfred Willemsen. Velma and Willie, as he was known, were united in marriage on September 2, 1949, at the Open Bible Church in Pella. To this union six children were born: Deborah Lynn, David Wayne, Priscilla Jane, Patricia Anne, Mary Ellen and Joseph William. They lived in Oskaloosa, Iowa for a short while, before settling in Pella. Velma was a dedicated homemaker other than the three years she was employed at the Rolscreen Company. After her children were grown she did baby sitting. Velma did a lot of sewing, collected bells and music boxes and loved to read. She always had a book in her hand. Early on Saturday morning, May 9, 2009, Velma passed away at the Hospice of Pella Comfort House in Pella three days following her 79th birthday. Those who will cherish her memory are her six children and their spouses, 10 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. They and their families are: Debbie Willemsen of Pella, Iowa; David and Kathy (De Zwarte) Willemsen of Springfield, Missouri; Janie and Dan Kujaczynski of Iowa City, Iowa; Patty and Douglas Van Haaften of Otley, Iowa; Mary Willemsen of Pella, Iowa; Joe and Francine (Melroy) Willemsen of Pella, Iowa.Of her original family Velma leaves three brothers and their wives: Donald Jolliffe of Omaha, Nebraska, Alfred and Francis Jolliffe of Waukee, Iowa, Dwight and Joan Jolliffe of Corpus Christi, Texas; and a sister-in-law, Gertrude (Willemsen) Watson of Long Beach, California. Velma was preceded in death by her husband, Wilfred Willemsen; her parents, Elton and Jessie Jolliffe; her parents-in-law, William and Sarah Miedema Willemsen; two brothers: Kenneth Jolliffe and Robert (Chester) Jolliffe; and a brother-in-law, Henry Willemsen. Velma was baptized and made profession of her faith at the First Christian Church in Knoxville, Iowa. She was a former member of the Open Bible Church in Pella where she taught Sunday school and at the time of her death was a faithful member of the Pella Church of the Nazarene. Her Lord and Savior were close to her heart and she served Him faithfully as a commodity volunteer. Velma shared many shopping trips and birthdays with her special friends, the late Joyce Van Zee and Joan Edmundson, but being a Mother was of upmost importance to her.


The family has designated Hospice of Pella Comfort House for memorial contributions.

Van Dyk - Duven Funeral Home