Obituary of Velma I. Fisher

Velma Irene Smith Fisher, 90, of Iowa City, died Wednesday, March 24, 2021, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Visitation will be held from 12 noon to 2 pm on Monday, March 29, 2021, at Gay and Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service. Private Family Services will be held with burial taking place at Memory Gardens Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials donations can be made in Velma’s memory to The River Community Church. To share a thought, memory, or condolence with her family, please visit the funeral home website at www.gayandciha.com. Velma Irene Smith was born September 20, 1930, east of Iowa City on the family farm the daughter of Clifford Smith Sr. and Velma Hartsock Smith. She attended Iowa City schools graduating from City High School. On August 5, 1949, she was united in marriage to Robert Lee Fisher at the First United Methodist Church in Iowa City. A union that spanned 71 years, beginning during the days of Korean Conflict where Bob served in the United States Navy, Velma followed him while he was in service. Their life together brought two daughters into this world, danced many dance halls in eastern Iowa, attended more Iowa Hawkeye Football and Basketball games then one could count, played more hands of cards with more friends than anyone can remember, and cherished the titles of Grandma and Grandpa with such pride. Velma simply loved her family, her friends and her days of working at ACT and later at the Registrar’s Office of the University of Iowa retiring in 2000 after 22 years there. Her family includes her husband, Robert, “Bob”; daughters, Pam Calkins (Larry Barnes) and Ellen Jenn (Ron); grandchildren, Amanda Bender, Aubray Coorough (Derek), and Brent Jenn (Kendra); great-grandchildren, Bentley. Jaxson, Cruz, Cosette, Ethan and Etta; Velma’s sister, Marjana Lamp, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Clifford and Velma Smith; her sisters, Mary Farnsworth (Lee), Lily Mae Parrish (Pat), Maxine Meyers (Ed), Betty Brenneman (Dave), Luella Jean Holmes (Carl), Florine Roegler, a brother, Clifford “Sonny” Smith (Mary); sister-in-law, Beverly King and a brother-in-law, Pat Lamp. Velma’s family would like to share their gratitude to the Legacy Community for their care and compassion towards Velma and Bob as they have lived there.