Velma Meierhofer died Saturday, May 29, 2004, at her Kimball home after a long and courageous battle with cancer. She was 65. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 3, at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Marty with Msgr. Daniel Taufen officiating. Burial will follow in the parish cemetery. Friends may call from 4-8 p.m. Wednesday and 9-10:30 a.m. Thursday at the Dingmann Funeral Care Chapel in Kimball. A prayer service will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the Kimball funeral chapel. Velma Helen Meierhofer was born Jan. 25, 1939, in Watkins to John and Rose (Salzer) Schackmann. She married Francis Meierhofer Aug. 16, 1958, in St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Watkins. Velma worked for St. John’s University and the College of St. Benedict for eight years. She was a member of Holy Cross Catholic Church in Marty. Velma will always be remembered for her energy, gardening, canning and cooking. She loved flowers and the beauty of her farm. The precious time she spent with her family and grandchildren was very important to her. Velma was preceded in death by her parents, and her sister and brother-in-law Joan and Jim Beckius. She is survived by her husband Francis of Kimball; sons Daniel (and Marie) Meierhofer of Golden Valley, and Robert (and Marcie) Meierhofer of Woodbury; daughters Cheryl (and Jim) Protas of Ham Lake, and Julie (and Matthew) Maruska of Eden Prairie; and nine grandchildren. Pallbearers will be Jim and Matthew Protas, Jason Meierhofer, Jim and Brooke Schmitz, and Matt Maruska. Music for the funeral will be provided by Bernice Maruska, Robert Meierhofer and Marie Meierhofer.
