Velma Mae Nelson, 83, of Grinnell and formerly of Searsboro, died October 31, 2016, at St. Francis Manor in Grinnell. A memorial service has been scheduled for 10:00 a.m. Monday, November 7th at the Friends Church in Searsboro with the Rev. Mike Johnson officiating. Burial will be in the Searsboro Community Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Velma Mae Nelson Memorial Fund. Velma was born March 3, 1933, in Grundy County, Missouri, the daughter of Charles and Opal Sheppard Smith. She was raised and educated in Lemons, Missouri. On December 31, 1949, she was united in marriage with Edwin Gail Nelson, in Green City, Missouri. The couple lived in the Grinnell area for many years prior to moving to Searsboro in 1972. She had been a resident of St. Francis Manor since 2014. She was employed as a cook for several restaurants in Grinnell and Searsboro; with the food service department at Grinnell College; and later at Grinnell Mutual Re-Insurance Company. Most importantly, she took great pride in raising her family and taking care of her home. Velma was a member of the Friends Church in Searsboro. She enjoyed vegetable gardening and canning her produce. For years, she kept active sewing, making clothing for her family and quilting. She enjoyed her time with her family and socializing with friends. Survivors include four children, Phyllis Brady of Searsboro, Thelma "June" (David) Trease of Kellogg, Garold (Diane) Nelson of Grinnell and James (Pauline) Nelson of Searsboro; seven brothers and sisters, Arthur (Eva) Smith of Loveland, Ohio, James (Sara) Smith of Kansas City, Missouri, Zelda (Lomar) Coleman of Hannibal, Missouri, Mary Lou (Leonard) Brill of Trenton, Missouri, Rosa (Joe) Banner of Kirksville, Missouri, Lucille (Wiley) Hand of Okoboji, Iowa and Wayne (Zoe) Smith of Chillicothe, Missouri; twelve grandchildren; and sixteen great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband in 2011 and one son, Raymond Nelson.