Obituary of Velma R. Nigg

Velma R. (Krall) Nigg, 86, lifetime resident of this area died, Wednesday, October 25, 2017, at Crestview Care Center in West Branch.

Funeral services will be held at 10am Monday, October 30, 2017, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Iowa City followed by burial at the St. Mary’s Cemetery in Newport Township of Johnson County, Iowa,  Visitation will be from 4 to 7pm Sunday at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service.  Memorial donations can be made to support the repair and care of St. Mary’s Church and Cemetery at Newport Township. 

Velma R. Krall was born May 18, 1931, in Solon, Iowa the daughter of William J. and Hilda J. (Dvorsky) Krall.  She attended Iowa City schools, graduating from City High School in 1949.  She was united in marriage to William Louis Nigg on November 4, 1953.  The couple farmed for many years in the Newport Township of Johnson County.  She continued on the farm even after William’s sudden death in 1977.  Velma enjoyed her 18 years working at ACT, and volunteering at the Iowa City/Coralville Convention Bureau. 

Velma loved her life, being the farm wife, working hard on the farm, gardening, canning, cooking and baking (especially kolaches) and raising her family.  As she would tell you, there is nothing more important than family, and hers was the most important in her world!

Her family includes her four children and their spouses, Dan Nigg (Terri), Greg Nigg (Kay), Sheri Thomas (Jon) and Mary Barbee (Timothy); grandchildren, Rachael Nigg (Derec Koch), Brandon Nigg (Heather Miller), Leslie Paterson (Aaron), Ben Nigg, Andy Nigg, Jason Thomas (Stephanie), Travis Thomas (Susie), Blaine  Thomas (Kellie), Madison Barbee and Sarah Barbee; great-grandchildren, Tyler, Jack, Jocelyn, Henry, Oscar, Lucille, Aaron, Kaitlyn (Nathan), Allison, Taylor, Keaton, Brayden, Madeline, Abigail, and Leah and one great-great grandson, Julian.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, William; sister and her husband, Ruth and Robert Frees.

Velma’s family would like to thank the very compassionate people at Crestview Care Center in West Branch and Care Initiatives Hospice for their loving care of our mother and grandmother, no words can express our gratitude!