Velma Marie Wee (née Phillips), 97, of Chicora, PA passed away on Friday, August 9, 2024, at 12:02 PM.
She was born on July 7, 1927, in Oskaloosa, Iowa to Cliff and Fern (Hatcher) Phillips.
Velma always loved the fact that she was born on the seventh day of the seventh month of the twenty-seventh year and was the seventh member of her family!
She graduated from Oskaloosa Senior High School and attended Iowa State University as a Home Economics major.
Velma was married to Donald Wayne Wee for 71 years, was a homemaker, and ran a sewing and alterations business out of her home for many years. Like Don, she grew up on a farm, but they ventured out together and lived in Iowa, Oklahoma, Michigan, Florida, Colorado, and Pennsylvania. They were instrumental in starting the first ELCA Lutheran Church in Oklahoma City and were active in the Boy Scouts of America with their three sons. For almost two years after Don retired in 1981, they traveled together in their motor home throughout the US and parts of Canada. They also enjoyed many cherished memories of vacations to Hawaii and Europe. They resided in the Butler, PA area for over twenty years.
Velma loved sewing and made clothes for her husband and three sons. She was delighted to gain daughters-in-law and grandchildren to be able to sew for them! She also pieced many quilts and did other art projects such as decoupage, braided rugs, and reupholstered furniture. Velma was an excellent cook and loved to garden. She and Don enjoyed hiking, bicycling, cross-country skiing, and spending time with their family. Velma especially loved reading to her sons and grandchildren when they were young.
Her memory will be cherished by sons James L. Wee and wife, Beth of New Orleans, LA, John A. Wee and wife, Luanne of Parker, PA, and daughter-in-law, Judy Constans of Portland, OR; three grandchildren, Ryan C. Wee, Kirsten E. Wee, and Alaina F. Whitmire and husband, Adrian; one great-grandson, Landon M. Whitmire, and several nieces and nephews and their families.
Velma is preceded in death by her parents, life partner, Don, son Joe, and siblings Helen Phillips, Grace (Phillips) Noel, Lois (Phillips) Putnam, and Wayne Phillips.
Inurnment will be in the Palestine Cemetery, Huxley Iowa.
Arrangements are being handled by Bauer-Hillis Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc. To send a condolence to Velma's family, visit www.bauerfuneral.com.
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