Velma Stoesz, age 96, was surrounded by family when she passed away on May 15, 2026, at Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Visitation will be held on Friday, May 22, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Bethel Mennonite Church in Mountain Lake, followed by a funeral service at 11:00 AM. Interment will be at the Mountain Lake Cemetery.
Arrangements are with Sturm Funeral Home in Mountain Lake. Online Condolences may be left for the family at www.sturmfh.com.
Velma Maxine Gaeddert was born in Buhler, Kansas on March 5, 1930, to Lena and Peter Gaeddert. She grew up on a farm in the Inman/Buhler area. Velma was the youngest of six children (3 boys and 3 girls). She attended country school and graduated from Buhler High School in 1948. After high school she attended Bethel College in North Newton, Kansas where she met her future husband, Wilbur “Charlie” Stoesz.
Velma and Charlie were married in Buhler Mennonite Church on September 14, 1952. Soon after getting married Charlie was drafted into the Army and Velma moved to Mountain Lake to live with her parents-in-law, John F. and Minnie Stoesz. Velma joined Charlie, where he was stationed in El Paso, Texas after he completed his basic training. When Charlie completed his service in the Army, they moved back to Mountain Lake where Velma was a homemaker and Charlie joined the family business, Mountain Lake Oil Company (Texaco). Over the years Velma and Charlie had five children (John, Kathy, Tom, Carol, and Tim). After the children were in school, she worked outside of the home, first at Mountain Lake High School where she served as Resource Room Coordinator and then later at the Mt. Lake Observer as a Proofreader.
Velma’s service in the church was deeply rooted and spanned decades. Her initial connection was with the Bethel Mennonite Church Worship and Sew Society that provided her fellowship and life-long friendships. She was very active in church: singing in the choir, teaching Sunday School, serving as a deacon, and on various committees. Other church and community service included volunteering at the Care and Share and at Good Samaritan Village.
Some of Velma’s favorite activities were attending Mt. Lake high school sporting and musical events, playing golf, following her beloved Minnesota Twins and Vikings, and family vacations in Northern Minnesota. Velma enjoyed cooking, especially Mennonite ethnic foods. She enjoyed doing cross stitch projects and reading. What really brought Velma joy was spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
Velma is survived by her children John (Marcia), Kathy (Gary) Bochman, Tom (Heather), Carol (Kenny) Frank, and Tim (Jenny), ten grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Charlie, her parents, Peter and Lena, brothers Melvin, Elmer and John, sisters Lorene and Erma, and two great grandchildren, Hannah and Calvin.
Memorials preferred to Bethel Mennonite Church.