Velma Ann Kuykendall, 80

Velma was born in Purdum, Neb., on Oct. 11, 1935. She was the ninth child of 11 born to Sarah (Sadie) Ann (Daniels) and John Fredrich Meyer.

Velma grew up working alongside her large family in the beet fields. They moved from Nebraska to Colorado in the summer of 1939 because of her mother’s health. She started school there, staying through the eighth grade. She would have liked to have gone to high school in Denver, but the family could not afford it. When she was 13, she chose to stay in the house and work instead of the fields. She tended over 1,000 fryers, carrying water and feed daily, preparing six chickens a day and making bread for the family meal, along with taking care of her two younger siblings.

Velma was married, at the age of 16, on Feb. 8, 1952. This day was shared by her older brother, Virgil, and his bride for life, Betty, in a double wedding. Velma had four children from 1953-1965: Michael Copeland in 1953, Craig Copeland in 1957, Roxann (Copeland) Burtis in 1959 and Tracy Copeland in 1965.

Velma was married to B.L. (Bill) Kuykendall on Aug. 14, 1969, starting a new life with him and her three children in California. The Kuykendalls shared 48 years together. They lived in the Tracy/Livermore, Calif., areas for more than 20 years, working on ranches as operations managers. In 1984, Velma got her GED, and attended the California College of Beauty, graduating as a nail tech. She had her own salon in Manteca, Calif., and continued to do nails until about three years ago. She always had beautiful red nails and could often be found polishing a great-grandchild’s fingers or toes.

Bill and Velma bought 20 acres of land in Athol, Idaho, in 1991. She turned a heavily forested piece of acreage to a beautifully tended garden in the time they lived there. She volunteered at the ABC food bank in Athol every weekend. They lived in Athol until three years ago, when they moved to Post Falls.

Velma loved to garden, cook, decorate, shop at (rag) thrift stores and go to the casino. Velma’s cooking was legendary amongst the family, as well as with all those she would share her goodies with. She created memories with her grandchildren by baking until all hours, just because they asked. She also created beautiful quilts she gifted to many in the family.

Velma was predeceased by all of her siblings, except for Eldon Meyer of Greely, Colo. Her son, Mike, and her favorite son-in-law, Rodney Burtis, also entered heaven before her. She is survived by her loving husband, Bill, and her four children. Velma had a large and extended family, with 15 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren.

A memorial will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, March 13, 2016, at the Shriners Club of Coeur d’Alene on Lancaster Road in Hayden. We will honor her by dressing in bright colors, especially her favorite color, red. Ladies, if you wish to wear a hat, she’d love that. Please bring your memories and a story to share. We would love to hear them all.

Bell Tower Funeral Home is handling the arrangements, and have a website dedicated to Velma. Go to belltowerfuneralhome.com and follow the prompts.