White Funeral Home
400 First Street West
Independence, Iowa 50644

Independence – Velda J. Hansen, 70 years old, of Independence, Iowa, died peacefully with her family present on Tuesday, October 2, 2012, at the Buchanan County Health Center in Independence.  She was born on August 8, 1942, in Waterloo, Iowa, the daughter of Melvin and Eva Rose (Seemann) Miller.  She grew up on a farm near LaPorte City, Iowa, where she learned the value of hard work from her parents.  Velda graduated from the high school in Jesup, Iowa, with the Class of 1958.  She then started working at Wapsie Valley Creamery in Independence as a bookkeeper.  By the time of her retirement in 2010, she was the office manager.  She met her future husband, James Henry Hansen, at the creamery between the milk cans.  They were married on October 21, 1962, at Zion Lutheran Church – Jubilee in rural LaPorte City, Iowa.  She was a great wife, mother, and grandmother and although life wasn’t always easy, she never complained.  Velda enjoyed watching game shows and westerns on TV.  She also enjoyed country music and trips to Branson, Missouri.

Velda is survived by her husband of 50 years, James, 2 sons, Kevin (Laura) Hansen of Independence, Iowa, and Kendal (Tammie) Hansen of Vinton, Iowa, and 1 daughter, Kristi (James) Clayton of Jesup, Iowa.  She is also survived by 7 grandchildren and 2 sisters, Margie Miller of Waterloo, Iowa, and Joyce (Dennis) Becker of Jesup, Iowa.

She was preceded in death by her parents and 1 son, Kurt Hansen.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, October 5^th, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Independence with Pastor Kurt Bockoven officiating.  Burial will be in Wilson Cemetery in Independence.  Friends may call for visitation from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 4^th, at the White Funeral Home in Independence.