BENTONVILLE

— Velma Mary Gildehaus, 92, journeyed home on Jan. 4, 2019, to join the Lord and her beloved family that preceded her. Velma was born to Joseph and Cecilia Klenke, Feb. 13, 1926 in Union, Mo. She moved from Union to Grain Valley, Mo., in 1985, and then moved to Bentonville in 1990, where she resided 29 years. She was born into the Catholic faith and remained a devout member of the church, (most recently St. Stephen’s of Bentonville), until her passing. A new family began from Velma when she married Walter August Gildehaus of Washington, Mo. They met in Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., where he was stationed for the Army and training to be a combat engineer prior to serving in World War II; she was volunteering with the USO at the time. They married on June 8, 1946, after he returned from the War. Velma was preceded in death by Walter, her husband of 44 years; her parents, Joseph and Cecilia Klenke; her brother, Ralph, Clarence and Elmer; her sister, Grace and Alma; her eldest son, Michael W. Gildehaus; and son-in-law, Tom D. Fleer. She is survived by eight of her nine children (and in-laws), Donna Fleer, John (Carrie) Gildehaus, Steve (Debbie) Gildehaus, Roger (Christie) Gildehaus, Marsha Campbell, Lynn (Dan) Mechura, Pam (Tony) Corbett, and Craig (Sharon) Gildehaus; her 22 grandchildren; and 31 great-grandchildren. Velma Mary Gildehaus will be remembered as a loving mother and grandmother whose life was filled with faith and family. A visitation will be held on Sunday, Jan. 6, 2019, from 3-5 p.m. at Callison-Lough Funeral Home in Bentonville. A second visitation will be in Union, Mo., on Monday from 6-8 p.m. at the Oltmann Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be on Tuesday, Jan. 9, at 10 a.m. in the Immaculate Conception Church in Union. Burial to follow at Midlawn Memorial Gardens. Online condolences can be made at www.callisonlough. com.