From the December 3, 2008 edition of the Dubuque Telegraph Herald

VIROQUA, Wis. -- Velma Mae (Knickerbocker) Walleser, 87, of Viroqua, formerly of De Soto, passed away Monday, Dec. 1, 2008, at Franciscan Skemp Hospital, La Crosse, surrounded by children and family whose love and prayers ushered her into heaven where she joined the love of her life, Stanley.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 5, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, where she was a member, with her grandson, the Rev. Richard Halvorson, officiating. Burial will be in Walnut Mound Cemetery, at Retreat, rural DeSoto. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4, at the Thorson-Reetz Funeral Home, Viroqua, where there will be a prayer vigil at 7 p.m. Friends also may call after 10 a.m. Friday at the church.

She was born on June 30, 1921, on a farm near Wexford, Iowa, daughter of Clement and Matilda (Sickles) Knickerbocker. Velma's experiences as a child of the depression shaped her character as a practical hard-working individual. These traits served her well over her long career of rearing and building moral character in her 15 children.

She married Stanley Emil Walleser on Oct. 5, 1937, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Lansing, Iowa; he preceded her in death on Aug. 13, 2005. They resided in Allamakee County, Iowa, until 1961, when they purchased the Dr. Christensen farm near West Prairie. They continued to expand both their family and farming operations until retiring near rural Retreat.

Velma was a faithful Catholic. She often said her hobby was work. She was a keen businesswoman with a talent for organization. She will be remembered for her hospitality and her familiar greeting: "Have you eaten yet?" She was an excellent bread-maker and her children have wonderful memories of the aroma of freshly baked tea biscuits waiting for them upon arriving home from school.

Velma was a talented seamstress, prolific cook, excellent gardener and longtime poultry producer. She was very proud to serve family and friends meals, which were almost completely produced from the garden and farm, with any necessary purchases having come from her egg money. Over the years, she was an active member of card, book and homemakers clubs as well as her church altar society.

Surviving are her 15 children, Clement (Judy Day) Walleser, of Dubuque, Betty Keenan, of Viroqua, Bernadette (Richard) Halvorson, of East Dubuque, Ill., Donna (Gordon) Johnson, of Lansing, Alice (Mansel) Koeller, of DeSoto, Henrietta "Daisy" Bauman, of East Dubuque, John (Jean Marks) Walleser, of Viroqua, Helenjean Walleser, of West Des Moines, Iowa, Virginia (Orville) Hendrickson, of DeSoto, Susanna (Ronald L.) Brudos, of Viroqua, Edward (Vivian Shields) Walleser and Stanley "Buck" (Shirley Reed) Walleser, both of DeSoto, Mary Jo (Armand) Bringe, of Viroqua, Kevin (Anne Elwing) Walleser, of De Soto, and Margaret (John) McDonah, of Byron, Minn.; 64 grandchildren; 102 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Alberta Knickerbocker, of Lansing; many other relatives and friends.

She also was preceded in death by her parents; an infant son, Joseph; two sons-in-law, Ralph Bauman and Patrick Keenan; a grandson, Russell Halvorson; two great-granddaughters, Danielle and Katelyn Keenan; two brothers, Arthur, in infancy, and Alfred Knickerbocker; and two sisters, Beulah Heuer and Viola Haas Mount.