Velma VanGerpen, age 80, of Dows passed away Wednesday March 13, 2013 at the Clarion Wellness and Rehab Center. Funeral services for Velma VanGerpen will be held at 10:30 A.M. Monday March 18, 2013 at the First Lutheran Church in Dows. Pastor Ron Nelson will officiate. Inurnment will take place in the Fairview Cemetery in Dows at a later date. Visitation for Velma Van Gerpen will be held from 5:00 – 7:00 P.M. Sunday March 17, 2013 at the First Lutheran Church in Dows and continue one hour prior to services at the church on Monday. Dugger Funeral Home, 100 North Lee Street in Dows is in charge of arrangements. Velma, the daughter of William and Amelia Hipp Schroeder was born November 9, 1932 on a farm near Williams. She grew up near Dows where she attended country school thru the 7th grade. Velma graduated from Dows High School in 1951. Velma was united in marriage to Richard VanGerpen on August 17, 1951. The couple was blessed with three children, Ricky, Cynthia and Garry. The couple lived their entire married life in Dows. Velma was a pillar of the Dows community and served that position in numerous ways. Dick and Velma owned and operated the Dows Bowl, where Velma ran the kitchen and was very good at it. Velma often served over 100 for lunch. Lunch and coffee at the Bowl was always quick, generous, home-made and well worth the wait. From scratch coffee-cake, cinnamon rolls, and two soups were always on the menu. She also excelled at retail-sales, Velma was a fixture at the Dows Apparel. She also owned and operated Cindy's Flowers, grooming numerous employees to be their best. A devoted member of both the Presbyterian and Lutheran churches in Dows, Velma served as Sunday School Superintendant and sang in an area-known spiritual quintet, the Lyn Quintet. The group sang often at churches and radio programs. Velma was the queen of multi-tasking. She and her sister spent many a day, climbing ladders, hanging wall paper, painting walls of many homes in the community. She served as the head cook at the Dows School. A genuine care-giver, Velma gave of herself at the next door nursing home. During these years Velma was also active in the Dow's celebrations. She spearheaded committees and participated in all aspects of the celebrations. From orchestrating food to building booths, Velma took great joy in watching her efforts come to fruition. Velma's passion for the past 20 years was working at the Dows Mercantile. She could do it all and do it with a smile and energy only Velma had. Name the club in Dows, and Velma had her part; Legion Auxillary, Kensington Club, Corn Days, Church, only Velma could have spread herself so generously. Of all her activities and achievements, nothing could ever come close to the importance she placed for her family and friends and deep love and respect she showed for each and everyone of them. Velma is survived by her children, Rick VanGerpen and wife Sue, of North Bend, WA, Cynthia VanGerpen Henn and husband, Lynn Henn of Gilbert, Garry VanGerpen and wife, Valerie of San Diego, CA, three grandchildren, Cole VanGerpen, Brooke Henn and partner Andrew Hess, Jacob Henn and his wife, Rana Webber, two sisters, Arlene Montandon of Clarion, Erma Cullinan of Clarion, three brothers, Wilbur Schroeder of Dows, Harold Schroeder and wife, Lannie of Morrison, CO, Melvin Schroeder and wife, Josie of Fort Dodge, numerous nieces and nephews and a host of friends. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, Dick in 2004, and brother, Walter.