Velma Meckley Klassen

Velma Meckley Klassen, 87, resident of Sunrise Vista in Cornville, AZ, passed away on Sunday, February 12, 2006. She was born in Junita Gap, PA to Clarence and Martha Maurer Meckley on April 17, 1918. She is survived by her son, Leroy Klassen, his wife Sandra and Son Nigel; a sister, Marian Belcher; In-laws, Rudy and Allene Klassen, Orlando and Lee Klassen, Della Klassen; and 27 nieces and nephews. She attended High School in Altoona, PA, graduating in 1936. She graduated from Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science with a degree in bacteriology in 1940. That same year she came to Ganado Mission on the Navajo Reservation to work at Sage Memorial Hospital as a Medical Laboratory Technician. She met Johnnie Klassen at Ganado and they were married on April 2, 1955 on the windiest day of the year. After leaving Ganado, they lived in Kansas for a period of 14 years. In 1986 they returned to Arizona, moving to Cottonwood. She loved to sing and play the piano and was a member of the church choirs wherever she went. She enjoyed hiking (including the Grand Canyon) and camping activities with friends and family. She was gifted in knitting, needlepoint and quiltmaking. Her cathedral window quilt was a blue-ribbon winner at the fair. In spite of her disability in her later years, she kept a gentle and sweet spirit and was loved by family, friends and caregivers. There will be a Memorial Service at the Verde Valley Presbyterian Church, 1500 E. Hombre Drive in Cottonwood, on Thursday, February 23, 2006 at 10:30am. Please send all donations to: Verde Valley Presbyterian Church, 1500 E. Hombre Drive, Cottonwood, AZ 86326 An online guestbook is available at www.westcottfuneralhome.com