—   Velma Jean (Neukomm) Roselius, 83, went home to heaven on Sunday, February 3, 2013. She passed away at Prairieview Lutheran Home in Danforth. She went to join the love of her life, Robert Roselius, who preceded her in death in 1995. Family and

friends have been singing and praying Velma into the arms of Jesus as she rested in hospice care at St. Mary's Hospital and Prairieview Lutheran Home for the last three weeks of her life

 on earth. Services will be held Thursday, February 7 at 11am at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Crescent City, with Rev. Joel Brown officiating. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 4 -7 pm at Knapp Funeral Home in Watseka, IL, and one hour before the service Thursday. Burial will be immediately following at St. Peter's Lutheran Cemetery.

  Velma was born April 29, 1929 at home in Ash Grove township Illinois to Joe and Anna (Schippert) Neukomm. She attended country school through 8th grade and graduated from Cissna Park High School in 1947. Velma then attended Augustana Hospital School of Nursing in Chicago, making lifelong friends who shared their faith with her. She traveled home on weekends to receive confirmation instruction and was baptized by Pastor Herman Koester. After earning her R.N., she married Robert Roselius on September 3, 1950 at Schwer.  Velma joined Bob on Pleasant Knoll Farm in Crescent township as his partner and homemaker. Together they farmed and traveled the world, visiting family in Germany, going to China in 1980, and exploring many parts of the US. Everywhere they went they met new friends and cherished old friends dearly.

  They were blessed with four children who eventually brought four more children into the family - Betty Jo (David) Braun of Le Sueur, MN, Thomas (Debra Nelson) Roselius of Crescent City, Carol (Rev. David) Poedel of Chandler, AZ, and David (Cathy Scully) Roselius of Dunwoody, GA. Gram created special relationships with each of her grandchildren -  Joshua (Beth), Rev. Lindsey, and Dan Braun; Joseph, Andrew (fiance Tari Wilder), and Katherine Roselius; Brad Carroll, Jeremy Poedel and Jennifer Zimmerman; Benjamin (Sophia) and Mychal Roselius. She also delighted in her great-grandchildren (Laura and Eli Braun, Owen Wilder, Kelly Jo Porter-Zimmerman, Kaitlynne Zimmerman, Marcus and Ella Roselius) and in a lifetime of children whom she surrounded with love and laughter. Velma leaves behind one sister, Ida Ferdinand, one sister-in-law, Martha Neukomm, nine nieces, two nephews, and numerous great-nieces, great-nephews, and godchildren.

  She was preceded in death by her parents; grandson, Jason Poedel; sister, Eileen Kaufman; brother, Ervin (Bud) Neukomm; brothers-in-law, Earl Kaufman and Laurence Ferdinand; and one nephew.

  Velma was the quintessential volunteer. She was an accomplished 4-H member who helped her children in Scouts, FFA, FHA, and 4-H. She also cheered her children and grandchildren at hundreds of basketball and volleyball games. She taught Sunday School, led Junior Lutherans, and participated in women's groups and Bible study at St. Peters Lutheran Church in Crescent City and around the state. She used her nursing skills as a volunteer for American Red Cross blood mobiles. When she wintered in Arizona, she sewed for the homeless with the Ugly Quilters and volunteered for Hospice in Mesa. She was a winter member and volunteer at First Evangelical Lutheran Church of Mesa. Velma was also one of the first volunteers for Iroquois Memorial Hospice.

  Memorials may be made to Prairieview Lutheran Home in Danforth, Iroquois Memorial Hospice or Donor's Choice.

  Please sign the online guestbook at knappfuneralhomes. com.