Velma H. Arnold, 97, of Eldora, Iowa passed away Friday, October 15, 2010 at the Valley View Nursing & Rehab Center in Eldora. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, October 20, 2010 at Creps-Abels Funeral Home in Eldora with Pastor Carlton Anderson officiating. Burial will follow at Eldora City Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 19, 2010 at Creps-Abels Funeral Home.
Velma was born in Eldora, Iowa on August 1, 1913 to her parents Bert and Vesta Beecher. She grew up in Eldora and attended Eldora High School. As a young woman she worked as a live-in maid for several households until she was united in marriage to her first husband Harry Hutzel on November 24, 1931. She also ran the cook shack for the Hardin County road crews while the majority of the first roads were being built in Hardin County. She served three shifts of both breakfast and lunch to the workers.
Velma and Harry welcomed a daughter, Betty Jean, into their family on January 14, 1933. Velma was very helpful to her husband, assisting him on their farm. Harry passed away on June 9, 1976. Velma later married Walter Arnold on October 2, 1982. After several years Walter passed in the spring of 1987.
Music was very important to Velma. She played the harmonica and the accordion. Velma loved to dance. She and Harry even appeared on a television show, in the early 50’s, that featured square dancing.
Velma is survived by her grandchildren, Judy Hudson, Diana Hudson and Howard Dean (Cindy) Hudson, Jr.; 8 great-grandchildren and 18 great-great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents, husbands, Harry Hutzel, and Walter Arnold; daughter Betty Jean Hudson; 2 brothers and 1 sister.