Velda Delila Stotser

Velda Stotser, age 89, of Hubbard, IA, passed away Thursday, March 21, 2024 at the Hanson Family Hospital in Iowa Falls, IA.

Velda Delila (Balvanz) Stotser was born March 5, 1935, at the family home, rural Hubbard, to George and Delila (Klaffke) Balvanz. She attended country school through 8th grade and graduated from Eldora High School in 1953. Velda was united in marriage to George Stotser on December 4,1954 at St. John Lutheran Church in Hubbard. To this marriage was born three children, James, Dee Ann and Peggy.

Velda was a farm wife for most of her life helping with chores and spring and fall work. She had the proverbial “green” thumb; just about anything she planted, grew into beautiful plants. George built a greenhouse onto the house allowing Velda to start producing seedlings in late winter and would spend hours tending to her plants. After the three kids left the house, Velda took a job at the Eldora Greenhouse. It was truly a dream job using her talents and love of plants.

Velda loved to play cards, especially Pepper and 500 and she loved the old country western songs. When she wasn’t reading about growing plants, she would be making dolls, ceramic figurines, and teddy bears. She brought much joy to friends and family as so many of those hand-crafted items were gifted. To say Velda liked cats would be a gross understatement. She had her barn cats and her house cats, and both were treated with love and kindness.

Velda was a life-long member of St. John Lutheran Church and the American Legion Auxiliary.

Velda is survived by her children James (Brenda) Stotser of Iowa Falls, DeeAnn Garmoe from Windsor Heights, and Peggy Stotser of Cedar Rapids; sister Alana McCleary of Lake Ozark, MO; grandchildren Dustin (Madelaine), Bjorn, Guthrie (Cortney), Leif (Fairley), Nicole (Travis) Haney and TJ Garmoe; great-grandchildren Lilia, Maddox, Xander, Coco, Rowan, Camilla, Kalypso, Emily, Evelyn, Hudson, Eros and Ada.

Velda was preceded in death by her parents, husband and brother Eldon.

Click here to visit the Boeke Funeral Home website.