Velma Rose Gleason

RONAN — Velma Rose Gleason, 88, of Ronan died peacefully on Saturday, May 21, 2005, at St. Luke Nursing Home.

She was born on Aug. 5, 1916, in Potlatch, Idaho, to Arthur and Christina Burch. Velma married Mark E. Gleason on Sept. 24, 1934, in Colfax, Wash.. Mark was the head saw filer for Potlatch Lumber Company and his job took them to California, Oregon, Alaska, Idaho, Washington and Montana. After Mark's retirement they moved to Ronan in 1972.

Velma liked to walk and read and was a long time volunteer at the Ronan Senior Citizens Center.

She grew roses wherever she went and in the summer she loved to pick huckleberries along the south fork of the Flathead River.

She will always be known as "Grandma Orange" to all her grandkids because she and Mark would bring oranges to them.

She was preceded in death by her husband Mark, son Alvin James, one brother and four sisters.

She is survived by sons Larry and wife Alice of Ronan, D. Ray Gleason of Washington, D.C.; four grandchildren Gena Steindorf, Ron Gleason, Don Gleason and Kristine Bowman; 11 great grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

No services are planned at this time. Memorials may be made to the Ronan Senior Citizens Center.

Shrider's Mortuary of Ronan is assisting with arrangements.