Velma Jean Krutsch, daughter of Glenn & Marguerite Stevenson was born on February 22,1951 in Mitchell SD. Velma attended school in Farmer, SD as an Oriole until consolidation her senior year. She graduated from Alexandria High School in 1969.

Velma was united in marriage with Vale Gene Krietlow on October 24,1970. They had one daughter, Debbie who was born on Easter morning in 1971. Vale & Velma later divorced.

Velma was united in marriage to Larry Lee Krutsch on September 11, 1996 at the Chapel in the Hills near Rapid City, SD. They raised many fur-babies together. They enjoyed camping not only in the Black Hills but spent a lot of time in Platte, SD at their camper.

Velma enjoyed gardening with Larry and they always had a huge haul of tomatoes to can each summer. Velma also loved to cook. She always made the recipes her own by adding ingredients to make everything just perfect.

Velma worked at Mitchell First National Bank for a time. She then worked for Randall's Grocery, later named Coborn's Grocery, for 50 years. She was a meat wrapper and customer service superstar. She ended her career in June of 2017 at Coborn's as the "fish-lady" keeping the fish counter beautiful and caring for the live lobsters. She had so many special customers she considered very good friends.

After a yearlong battle with small cell lung cancer, Velma peacefully left this world at Ava's House in Sioux Falls, outside in their courtyard. In her daughter's arms, and holding her hand, Velma was comforted with reassurance by Debbie and the promise of everlasting life with Jesus by Pastor Keith Nelson as she went to her place with God.

Velma is survived by her daughter Debbie (Krietlow), son-in-law Gary and granddaughter Rahni Marie (affectionately known to her Memaw as Rahn-Bahn and MoonPie). "There are no steps and halves in our house" was the motto with Velma and Larry. "Family is family".

She is also survived by her 'bonus' granddaughters Melony (Vaughn) & husband Cody Bertram and great-grandson Trevor of Winner; Sequoya (Vaughn) and husband Dan Rohrbach and great-grandson Braden and great grand-daughter Kalyn of Aberdeen. One brother, Orville (Anita) Stevenson, sister-in-law Carolyn (Metz) Stevenson of Mitchell and sister in-law Betty (Thill) Stevenson of Sioux Falls. She has numerous nieces & nephews, great nieces & nephews and great-great nieces & nephews.

Velma was preceded in death by her husband Larry, her parents, her in-laws Arthur & Wilma Krietlow and Lorraine & Thelma Krutsch, two brothers, Melvin Stevenson & Lyle Stevenson and aunts, uncles and cousins. Greeting her in Heaven, also, is her granddaughter Allie Jensen whom she missed dearly.

She was also reunited with all of her fur-babies Ty Lee, Coby, KD, Beethoven, TJ, Lexe, Sadie and Molly.

Funeral services will be 2:00 PM Monday, July 1, 2019 at Mitchell First United Methodist Church. Visitation will be 5 PM to 7 PM with a 7 PM prayer service June 30, 2019 at Will Funeral Chapel.  Burial will be at Graceland Cemetery.