Velma Louise Kumpf (nee Klaus) passed away peacefully in her sleep at age 97 on Thursday, December 3, at Bethesda Southgate nursing facility in St. Louis. Memorial visitation from 10-11 AM at KUTIS AFFTON CHAPEL, 10151 Gravois, Monday December 7 with service immediately following at 11 AM. Internment will be at St. Paul Churchyard, Affton.
Velma is preceded in death by her devoted husband of 76 years, Leonard Peter Kumpf of St. Louis; her parents Glenn and Sophronia Klaus of Nilwood, IL; her sister Glenda (Gene) Slightom of Girard IL; and numerous in-laws, friends, and relatives.
Velma grew up on her family’s farm in southern Illinois before moving to Alton to work at the St. Louis munitions factory, where she met Leonard. They were married in December 1944 and lived a joyful, family-centered life until Len’s death in 2004. As members of their neighborhood’s friendship circle for over 45 years, they enjoyed weekly dinners, vacations, and holiday outings together as a group. Velma retired from Edison Brothers Shoe Store as the ever-popular manager of the employee store before Edison closed its operations in the mid 1990’s. She was an active member of Eden United Church of Christ until advanced age, enjoying the fellowship of quilters, holiday cookie sales, and morning worship. Velma rarely forgot a face. It was common to hear her say, “I know you, don’t I?” She lived a life where friendships are golden and acquaintances will soon be friends.
She loved the color pink and drove a pink sedan in her heyday. Velma loved flowers but not gardening. She loved her home but not housework. She preferred menus with at least one chicken option and relaxed with a tall Rum & Tab if Leonard was around to mix it for her.
Velma was a bit of a fashion plate. When she told Leonard that she had responded to an Edison Brothers ‘Housewives Earn Money’ job ad, he exclaimed, “Oh no! Not SHOES!!” He gave a similar response when his wife was promoted to help manage the company’s employee store with her discount still in full swing. She was thrilled when her new daughter-in-law wore the store’s sample shoe size. Velma was an early riser. She could have worked as a letter carrier the way she walked to and from the bus stop for work in all types of weather.
Velma worshipped God, her family, and the sun. Rarely did a good tanning day go to waste. She walked the beaches of Hawaii, Maryland, South Carolina, Florida, and Europe but avoided the water since she sank like a rock. It mattered not how many years of lessons at Indian Hills Swim Club she tucked under her cap, she sank like a rock.
Velma may still be the only Eden Church member or St. Louis County resident who dislocated her shoulder while quilting. Rather than sew, she enjoyed embroidery and her skill was unmatched – the reverse was a beautiful as the obverse! Her colorful, embroidered tops were quilted and gifted to her family just as her own mother did for hers. Velma’s last year at Bethesda Southgate included a bed warmed with a crazy quilt that her mother made nearly 100 years ago.
Velma was an avid reader of romance novels. Her own writing included travel journals and weekly letters to the son who moved out of state. Those years of letters were bundled and saved as the precious testimony of her love of life. The bundles were brought out of the family treasure chest a few years ago for what became a delightful trip down memory lane. it was so like Velma’s humor for her to remark, “If there wasn’t any weather, then I wouldn’t have had anything to say!” It was funny but untrue: She chronicled her joy of being a grandmother. She shared her worries and hopes during Leonard’s illness. She enclosed photographs of gifted flower arrangements and the latest neighborhood group trip. The antics of walking Leonard’s current dog would be recognized by any dog lover. There was always a giggle or two in that weekly envelope. We miss them. Her advice to the recently retired was that life retains value when you “do one thing a day” and take a nap to stay refreshed.
Velma was dearly loved. She is survived by her two sons, Henry Warren (Susan) Kumpf of Clyde NC and Michael Glen (Barbi) Kumpf of St. Louis; two grandsons, Kevin Michael (Kassie) Kumpf and Corey Glen Kumpf and great-grandson Cameron Michael Kumpf; her sisters Mary (Harry) Herchelman of Raymond IL and Jean German of Mt. Vernon IL; nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, cousins and many, many friends.
In lieu of flowers that she so loved, contributions are appreciated in her memory to Eden United Church of Christ, 8920 Eden Avenue, St. Louis MO 63129.
I remember Velma from years ago at Eden and regret her loss to you, your family and to the church family. She was a good and faithful friend, and a follower of our shared faith. God has blessed and enriched our lives through her presence and will continue to reside in us that we may follow her example and continue to enrich the lives of others. May God’s blessing be with you. I will be absent from the funeral service for fear of Covid–as I am at high risk. My prayers are with you.
I remember Velma from years ago at Eden and regret her loss to you, your family and to the church family. She was a good and faithful friend, and a follower of our shared faith. God has blessed and enriched our lives through her presence and will continue to reside in us that we may follow her example and continue to enrich the lives of others. May God’s blessing be with you. I will be absent from the funeral service for fear of Covid–as I am at high risk. My prayers are with you.
So sorry to hear about the loss of Aunt Velma. I know we didn’t see each other very often but have fond memories of her. Best wishes to Henry and Mike and their families. My prayers are with you.
So sorry to hear about the loss of Aunt Velma. I know we didn’t see each other very often but have fond memories of her. Best wishes to Henry and Mike and their families. My prayers are with you.
Sorry for your loss Jean. Prayers for you and your family
Sorry for your loss Jean. Prayers for you and your family
My team and I send out our condolensces to you and your family Mike. May your mom rest peacefully, and your family find solice.
The crew at St. Dominic HS kitchen
My team and I send out our condolensces to you and your family Mike. May your mom rest peacefully, and your family find solice.
The crew at St. Dominic HS kitchen
so sorry to hear about your mom passing. prayers for you and your family.
so sorry to hear about your mom passing. prayers for you and your family.
Mike and family I am so sorry for your loss. I know she had a full life and a good one so remember to celebrate her. Its is especially hard at this time of year. My family will have you in our prayers in this time.
Mike and family I am so sorry for your loss. I know she had a full life and a good one so remember to celebrate her. Its is especially hard at this time of year. My family will have you in our prayers in this time.
My condolensced & prayers to your family. It’s never easy losing a love one especially a mother no matter what age they are. But it truly is a blessing to have one to be bless with so many years. Always remember the good times you shared with her. God bless you and your family.
My condolensced & prayers to your family. It’s never easy losing a love one especially a mother no matter what age they are. But it truly is a blessing to have one to be bless with so many years. Always remember the good times you shared with her. God bless you and your family.
I regret that I did not attend your mothers visitation and service. I’m sure you understand. Your mom was a special friend for many years. She was always a joy to visit and talk to her or I should say she was always ready to talk. God be with her and the Kumpf family.
I regret that I did not attend your mothers visitation and service. I’m sure you understand. Your mom was a special friend for many years. She was always a joy to visit and talk to her or I should say she was always ready to talk. God be with her and the Kumpf family.
Velma was such a colorful person! When she entered a room, it just lit up. She was so funny, and didn’t even know it. It was so much fun working with her at church. When we’d eat lunch together when working on projects, she always ended her meal with some candy, usually chocolate. She loved her sweets! So cute. I enjoyed reading her obituary, about her life which she so embraced with such zest. I chuckled about all the cute stories you shared with us, it was so “typical Velma”. You were lucky to have such a loving mother, and she, in turn, was lucky to have two adoring sons. That includes your wives, too. My sincere condolences to your entire family. God bless you all.
Velma was such a colorful person! When she entered a room, it just lit up. She was so funny, and didn’t even know it. It was so much fun working with her at church. When we’d eat lunch together when working on projects, she always ended her meal with some candy, usually chocolate. She loved her sweets! So cute. I enjoyed reading her obituary, about her life which she so embraced with such zest. I chuckled about all the cute stories you shared with us, it was so “typical Velma”. You were lucky to have such a loving mother, and she, in turn, was lucky to have two adoring sons. That includes your wives, too. My sincere condolences to your entire family. God bless you all.