Velma Kreuder

Velma Kreuder, age 86, of Savanna, passed away Tuesday, January 16, 2018 at the Good Samaritan Society, Mt. Carroll, Illinois. A visitation will be held from 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 20, 2018 at St. Peter Lutheran Church, Savanna. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. at the church, followed by a luncheon. A burial of ashes will take place at a later date in Savanna Township Cemetery. Memorials may be given in Velma’s memory to St. Peter’s Lutheran Church or the Savanna Fire Department.

Velma was born March 19, 1931, in Savanna, Illinois, the daughter of Carl and Lilly (Krippendorf) Haring. She graduated from Savanna High School in 1949. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Western Illinois University in 1953. In 1955 Velma married Ben Mills. She later married Max Kreuder on October 7, 1972. They celebrated 19 years of marriage until Max’s death in 1992.

Velma taught for two years in Libertyville, Illinois. She later taught for 32 years in the Savanna School District before retiring. Velma was active in St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Savanna and in many community organizations. She earned several community awards from the Savanna Rotary Club and the Savanna Chamber of Commerce. She was chairman of many town festivals and parades for several years. She was a founder of Savanna Service Club, a member of the Junior Women’s Club, PEO International, and the Retired Teachers Association. Even in retirement, Velma opened her heart to others by volunteering her time to tutor students at Point Isabel School District, while on vacation at South Padre Island, Texas.

Velma will be dearly missed by her two sons, Gerald (Linda) Kreuder of Hampton, Illinois and Rex (Kathy) Kreuder of Savanna, Illinois; eight grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; one sister, Lois (Ken) Smith of Thomson, Illinois; one sister-in-law, Marian Haring of Savanna, Illinois, and many nieces and nephews, and great-nieces and nephews. Velma is preceded in death by her husbands, parents, and brother Charles.