Velva Zirkelbach

Velva (Hoffman) Zirkelbach-Heidemann, 80, formerly of Lisbon, died on Monday, April 4, 2016, at Pinicon Place, Anamosa. Family and friends will gather from 4-6:30 p.m. with a memorial service beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, April 8, 2016, at Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Mount Vernon. Velva was born on August 30, 1935, in Hale, Iowa. She was the daughter of George and Etta (McGuire) Hoffman. She attended Hale County School until the 7th grade when she went to Olin schools for 7th and 8th grade. Velva moved to Anamosa where she lived with Mr. and Mrs. Guy Wolf. Velva worked in restaurants in Anamosa and Maquoketa. She also worked at Clinton Engine factory in Maquoketa. In 1951, she married George Zirkelbach and later they divorced. In 1960, Velva became the housekeeper/babysitter for Harold Heidemann and his two boys. She moved to Lisbon, Iowa, with Harold in 1966 when Harold bought his farm. Velva and Harold were married in New York in 1971. She also started her job at Cornell College in April of that year. Velva had some health issues that caused her to retire from Cornell in March of 1996, but by 1999 she was back to work this time at Hardees where she made biscuits for eight years. After Harold passed away in June of 2008 Velva moved from the farm to Myers Meadow Senior Apartments. Velva moved to Pinicon Place in 2014, and lived there until her death. Velva is survived by two step-sons, David (Connie) Heidemann and Paul (Nancy) Heidemann; two step-grandchildren, Kelsey (Tony) Rickard and Chris (Courtney) Heidemann; eight nieces, and nephews, Sandy, Dick, Dave, Roselee, and Charles Hoffman, Derrick (Andrea) Peterson, Devon (Quenton) Bitner, and Donna Wood. She is also survived by one great-granddaughter, Hayley; two great-grandsons, Bentley and Jackson; three great nieces and nephews; and two close friends, Dan (Mindy) Kohl and Gerry Decious. Proceeding her in death was her husband, Harold, her parents; grandparents; three sisters, Twilla, Belle, Kathryn; two brothers, Allan and Bryon; and niece, Sue. Her step-sons and step-grandchildren were her pride and joy. Her greatest joys were her great-grandchildren who Velva had so much love for. The family would like to thank the staff at Pinicon Place and the staff at Above and Beyond for the great and loving care they gave Velva.