Velma Eischens
Velma Mary Eischens, age 86, of Canby, passed away Saturday, March 3, 2018 the Sanford Canby Medical Center. Mass of Christian Burial for Velma will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, March 8 at the St. Leo Catholic Church, St. Leo.
Burial will be in the St. Leo Catholic Cemetery.
Visitation will be Wednesday, March 7 from 4 – 8 p.m. with a Prayer Service at 5 p.m. and Rosary at 7:45 p.m. at the Houseman Funeral Home, Birk Chapel, Canby, and will resume Thursday one hour prior to the service at the church.
Velma Mary DeVos was born on August 21, 1931, in Burton Township, Yellow Medicine County. She was the daughter of Philip and Helen (Fier) DeVos.
Velma was baptized, received her first communion, and was confirmed at St. Edward’s Catholic Church in Minneota, Minnesota.
She attended grade school in District 31 and graduated from Canby High School in 1948. On May 5, 1954, Velma was married to Mervin E. Eischens at St. Edward’s Catholic Church in Minneota.
They shared over 63 years of marriage together, had seven daughters and one son
The couple made their home in St. Leo, Minnesota, where Velma helped Mervin at his insurance office until their first child was born.
She then dedicated her life as a wonderful homemaker.
Velma was a member of St. Leo Catholic Church, CCW, St. Leo American Legion Auxiliary and taught CCD.
Her enjoyments in life were her family, her faith, sewing, bingo, playing cards, jigsaw puzzles, word searches, cryptoquip, towel embroidering, baking for her family, and occasional trips to the casino.
She is survived by her loving husband, Mervin E. Eischens of Canby; seven daughters, Maureen (Dave) Panka of Ivanhoe; Kathy (Kurt) Pesch of Perham; Patty (Kim) Kallevig of Newport; Louise Eischens of Marshall; Carol (Mark) Oakland of Minneota; Joyce Eischens of Marshall; and Mary Jo (Mike) Kor of Oelwein, IA; 12 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and sisters: Ramona Buysse, Lucille Qunell, and Phyllis Birk.
Velma was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers: Floyd, Arnold, and Richard; son, Johnny in 1970; and grandson, Seth Kallevig in 2018.