Velma Mae Horsley of Aurora, Colo., formerly of Holbrook, passed away suddenly but peacefully Saturday morning, March 19, 2016. A viewing will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 26, at Newcomer Funeral Home in Aurora, followed by the funeral service at 11 a.m. and a luncheon reception from noon to 2 p.m. She was born April 9, 1934, to Paul and Pearl (Greene) Linn in Wessington Springs, S.D., and was the fifth of six children. Velma grew up on a farm in Eastern South Dakota and although there were many hardships, what she spoke of was the family, love and laughter that filled her days. Velma attended Wessington Springs High School, where she was senior class president and a member of the elite group the Eight Balls. She graduated from Wessington Springs College and taught school in a one-room schoolhouse for several years before her marriage. Velma Mae Linn began a 55-year adventure when she married Dale Leroy Horsley on July 25, 1955, in Harmony Friends Church in Wessington Springs. They honeymooned in the Black Hills and Niagara Falls. Dale’s career in the Civil Service with the Air Force led him across the country and Velma followed him faithfully. Over the next 55 years Dale and Velma lived in 24 different states, acquiring eight children along the way. Dale and Velma settled in Holbrook in 1968. Dale worked at the Air Force Site and Velma was busy raising their seven children, working with the United Methodist Church, the Order of Lady Elks, leading Girl Scout Troops and substitute teaching. Velma realized one of her dreams when she and Dale opened the Bluebird Nursery and Pre-School in 1972. She ran the nursery for 18 years before retiring to spend her remaining years with family, friends and traveling the world with Dale until his passing in 2008. After Dale’s passing, Velma moved to Aurora, where she lived with her daughter and son-in-law Lori and Willie Rosas. Her son Rick and family retired to Colorado Springs two years later, and she loved having them close and watching her new great-granddaughter grow. Velma regularly attended Colorado Community Church, and spent much time traveling to South Dakota and Arizona to spend time with family. She became an enthusiastic fan of the Six Pack Softball Team in the summer and the BFF Bowling team in the winter. Her special job was holding the babies of the players while cheering on the teams. Survivors include six children, Kenneth of South Dakota, Diane (Violet) of Delaware, Michael and Debbie, both of Arizona, and Lori and Richard, both of Colorado. She is also survived by 18 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren, and one great-great-grandson. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dale Leroy Horsley; a son, Danny Linn Horsley; a daughter, Della Prue Horsley Hermann; her parents, Paul and Pearl Linn; four brothers, Kenneth, Edwin, Wayne and Donald, and sister Mable Linn Horsley.
