Velma Clay

Velma Clay, 96 year old resident of Tenino, WA, formerly of Burtrum, MN, passed away on February 28, 2017. A Memorial Service will be held at 11 AM on Friday, June 30, 2017 at Grey Eagle United Methodist Church with Pastor Gary Taylor officiating. Visitation will be from 10 AM to 11 AM on Friday at the church. Interment will be at Pleasant Valley Cemetery in Clotho, MN. Arrangements are with Shelley-Gibson Funeral Chapel in Swanville, MN.
Velma Celia Ann Johnson was born on February 5, 1920 in Round Prairie Township, MN to the late Claude & Eunice (Scott) Johnson. Velma grew up on a farm in Round Prairie and attended District #40 Country School. She graduated from Long Prairie High School with the class of 1939. Velma was united in marriage to Zerl E. Clay on July 22, 1939 in Las Vegas, NV. Zerl was serving in the U.S. Navy, therefore; Velma lived as a military wife moving and living in several places like Long Beach & San Francisco, CA, Great Lakes, IL and Guam until Zerl retired from his 30 year career in the U.S. Navy and they moved back to Burtrum, MN. In MN, Velma and Zerl farmed for a few years then moved to Burtrum, MN where they built and opened a thrift store which they later converted to apartments. In 1979 Velma and Zerl moved to Arizona to enjoy their retirement in a warmer climate. They returned to Burtrum in 2000 where Velma loved being close to family and enjoyed gardening. In 2016 Velma moved to Tenino, WA to live close to her daughter.
Velma is survived by her daughter, Jodi (Yancy) Yungdahl of Tenino, WA; brother, Forrest (Rose) Johnson of Burtrum, MN; 7 grandchildren Maci Yungdahl, Trevor (Hannah) Yungdahl, Jean Frieler, Cathy (Joe) Lyon, David (Lisa) Rahn, Danny (Nancy) Rahn and Vickie Clay; 9 great grandchildren, and 9 great-great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Claude & Eunice Johnson, husband of 76 years Zerl E. Clay; daughter, Joan A. Rahn; son, Jerry L. Clay; sisters Winnie, Bernice, Lila, and Clyta; brothers Myles and Claude.