Velma Stehlik Weil passed away on September 25, 2016 at Sunrise Senior Living in Park Ridge, Illinois at the age of 91.
She is survived by her two daughters: Susan Weil Bates (Clayton) of Canadian Lakes, Michigan; and Constance Weil (Richard Brissette) of Des Plaines, Illinois; and five grandchildren (David, Sarah and Matthew Bates, Ben and Daniel Brissette). She was preceded in death by her husband, William B. Weil Jr., parents Otto and Bela Stehlik, sister Miriam Drahos and brother Victor Stehlik.
Velma was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa in 1924. She attended Coe College and earned a nursing degree from St. Lukes Hospital in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She worked for the Indian Health Service in Oregon. After moving to Minneapolis, Minnesota to work, she met and married William Weil in 1948. They lived in many places throughout their marriage and traveled widely with their family and as a couple.
Velma was active in Lansing area community organizations, including the Women's Symphony Organization, Women's Faculty Auxiliary and Peoples' Church. She was an avid supporter of the Lansing Rescue Mission, Cristo Rey and Native American schools in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. She also worked as a graphic designer, designing multiple book covers for the American Pediatric Society and Society for Pediatric Research joint pediatric conference. She also worked as a realtor for many years in the Lansing area. She resided in East Lansing for 43 years before moving to assisted living facilities in Okemos, Michigan and Park Ridge, Illinois.
Velma was a creative and involved mother, serving as a Girl Scout leader, planning amazing carnivals for her daughters' joint birthday parties, and so much more. She was an artist at heart and by training, designing needlepoint kits and jewelry. She was a devoted wife who supported her husband's career. She loved reading, camping, traveling, creating art and entertaining.
A memorial service to celebrate the life of Velma S. Weil will be held at Faith Lutheran Church, 4515 Dobie Road, Okemos, Michigan on October 29 at 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to City Rescue Mission of Lansing, bearescuer.com. Questions may be directed to Nelson Funeral Home nelsonfunerals.com; an online guest book can also be accessed at this website.