Velma was born in Denver, CO, where her parents had moved because of her father's tuberculosis. Shortly after her birth they moved on to Albuquerque, NM, also because of her father's tuberculosis. Her father died a few years later. She and her mother returned to Kansas City, where her mother, Cecile, married and divorced (1923-24). Cecile then moved to Three Lakes to marry her 3d husband. Velma spent her childhood in Three Lakes, WI, where her step-father raised fox and then developed a 3-cabin resort. It was a happy childhood with little money and lots of love.
Velma met her first husband, James Elmer Warren, while they both served in the Army in Florida during WWII. She was a punch-card operator. They married in 1945 and their daughter was born in 1946. After leaving the Army he deserted his family, and they were divorced in 1949.
Velma was a waitress and assistant restaurant manager for about 10 years in various locations before opening her own cafe in Laona, WI. It was there she met her second husband, Felix J. Grumann, who owned the TV repair shop next door. They were married on 2 Feb 1960 and had a son 2 years later. About 1968 they left Laona, moved to Neenah, WI, and eventually settled in Oregon, WI.
Velma was very artistic and enjoyed a variety of crafts. After settling in Oregon, WI, Felix went to work for the State and Velma began selling some of her art in various craft fairs around the State. She also had a couple of one-person shows around Madison. Eventually they turned the front-room of their home into a shop selling Velma's "nature art" (collages made from parts of plants). She eventually wrote a book, "Nature Art", showing others how to create similar creations.
When Felix was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, they sold their home and moved into senior housing. When she was no longer able to care for Felix, she moved him to a nursing home in Crandon, WI, so that he would recognize names and locations that he would hear on radio and television. This was tough because Velma didn't drive. Once a month she would travel 6 hours by bus to visit him.
Velma died in a hospital in Madison, WI, from heart and lung disease. She was buried next to her beloved husband, Felix J. Grumann.
Last updated 2/19/2016 - ACJ
Velma met her first husband, James Elmer Warren, while they both served in the Army in Florida during WWII. She was a punch-card operator. They married in 1945 and their daughter was born in 1946. After leaving the Army he deserted his family, and they were divorced in 1949.
Velma was a waitress and assistant restaurant manager for about 10 years in various locations before opening her own cafe in Laona, WI. It was there she met her second husband, Felix J. Grumann, who owned the TV repair shop next door. They were married on 2 Feb 1960 and had a son 2 years later. About 1968 they left Laona, moved to Neenah, WI, and eventually settled in Oregon, WI.
Velma was very artistic and enjoyed a variety of crafts. After settling in Oregon, WI, Felix went to work for the State and Velma began selling some of her art in various craft fairs around the State. She also had a couple of one-person shows around Madison. Eventually they turned the front-room of their home into a shop selling Velma's "nature art" (collages made from parts of plants). She eventually wrote a book, "Nature Art", showing others how to create similar creations.
When Felix was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, they sold their home and moved into senior housing. When she was no longer able to care for Felix, she moved him to a nursing home in Crandon, WI, so that he would recognize names and locations that he would hear on radio and television. This was tough because Velma didn't drive. Once a month she would travel 6 hours by bus to visit him.
Velma died in a hospital in Madison, WI, from heart and lung disease. She was buried next to her beloved husband, Felix J. Grumann.
Last updated 2/19/2016 - ACJ
Velma was born in Denver, CO, where her parents had moved because of her father's tuberculosis. Shortly after her birth they moved on to Albuquerque, NM, also because of her father's tuberculosis. Her father died a few years later. She and her mother returned to Kansas City, where her mother, Cecile, married and divorced (1923-24). Cecile then moved to Three Lakes to marry her 3d husband. Velma spent her childhood in Three Lakes, WI, where her step-father raised fox and then developed a 3-cabin resort. It was a happy childhood with little money and lots of love.
Velma met her first husband, James Elmer Warren, while they both served in the Army in Florida during WWII. She was a punch-card operator. They married in 1945 and their daughter was born in 1946. After leaving the Army he deserted his family, and they were divorced in 1949.
Velma was a waitress and assistant restaurant manager for about 10 years in various locations before opening her own cafe in Laona, WI. It was there she met her second husband, Felix J. Grumann, who owned the TV repair shop next door. They were married on 2 Feb 1960 and had a son 2 years later. About 1968 they left Laona, moved to Neenah, WI, and eventually settled in Oregon, WI.
Velma was very artistic and enjoyed a variety of crafts. After settling in Oregon, WI, Felix went to work for the State and Velma began selling some of her art in various craft fairs around the State. She also had a couple of one-person shows around Madison. Eventually they turned the front-room of their home into a shop selling Velma's "nature art" (collages made from parts of plants). She eventually wrote a book, "Nature Art", showing others how to create similar creations.
When Felix was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, they sold their home and moved into senior housing. When she was no longer able to care for Felix, she moved him to a nursing home in Crandon, WI, so that he would recognize names and locations that he would hear on radio and television. This was tough because Velma didn't drive. Once a month she would travel 6 hours by bus to visit him.
Velma died in a hospital in Madison, WI, from heart and lung disease. She was buried next to her beloved husband, Felix J. Grumann.
Last updated 2/19/2016 - ACJ
Velma met her first husband, James Elmer Warren, while they both served in the Army in Florida during WWII. She was a punch-card operator. They married in 1945 and their daughter was born in 1946. After leaving the Army he deserted his family, and they were divorced in 1949.
Velma was a waitress and assistant restaurant manager for about 10 years in various locations before opening her own cafe in Laona, WI. It was there she met her second husband, Felix J. Grumann, who owned the TV repair shop next door. They were married on 2 Feb 1960 and had a son 2 years later. About 1968 they left Laona, moved to Neenah, WI, and eventually settled in Oregon, WI.
Velma was very artistic and enjoyed a variety of crafts. After settling in Oregon, WI, Felix went to work for the State and Velma began selling some of her art in various craft fairs around the State. She also had a couple of one-person shows around Madison. Eventually they turned the front-room of their home into a shop selling Velma's "nature art" (collages made from parts of plants). She eventually wrote a book, "Nature Art", showing others how to create similar creations.
When Felix was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, they sold their home and moved into senior housing. When she was no longer able to care for Felix, she moved him to a nursing home in Crandon, WI, so that he would recognize names and locations that he would hear on radio and television. This was tough because Velma didn't drive. Once a month she would travel 6 hours by bus to visit him.
Velma died in a hospital in Madison, WI, from heart and lung disease. She was buried next to her beloved husband, Felix J. Grumann.
Last updated 2/19/2016 - ACJ
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