Velma C. Beesecker

LANCASTER – Velma C. Beesecker, age 97, of Lancaster passed away at home on Saturday, October 28, 2023.  She was born on April 30, 1926, in Maquoketa, IA, the daughter of Chester and Ethel (Applegate) Lister.  After graduating from high school, she was a teacher in a one room schoolhouse.  During the summer months, Velma attended the University of Iowa to receive her teaching degree and taught throughout the school year in one room schoolhouses to parochial schools of individual grades.  In 1961, at the age of 35, Velma was united in marriage to Lewis Willimack.  They resided in Maquoketa, IA, where she had her first-born son, Lewis, and continued to teach until they purchased a dairy farm in Staples, MN in 1964, where she had her second son, Richard and daughter, Susanne.  In 1970 they moved and farmed in Beetown, WI until 1979.  Velma decided to further her education to receive a CNA degree through Southwest Wisconsin Technical College.  She worked for ten years and retired from Orchard Manor Nursing Home.  At age 64, Velma decided to work part-time at Nelson Dewey providing history and tours of the old farmhouse.  In January of 1991, she married Loyd Beesecker.  In 1998, they moved to Lancaster for the two of them to live their remaining years and to be their final resting place. Being a teacher, Velma loved History and was an avid reader.  She also loved to play Scrabble with her friend, Marlene and cousin, Kathy, which was disappointing most of the time as Velma would win.  She liked solving crossword puzzles, crocheting, cooking, and most of all, taking care of her beloved cat and companion, Mittens.  Throughout her whole life, she was a very independent strong-willed woman.  She always demonstrated a strong work ethic even through trials and tribulations to overcome and not quit. She dedicated her life to God and practiced as a true Christian until the end, knowing and believing God will give her everlasting peace.

In addition to her parents, Velma was preceded in death by her first husband, Lewis Willimack in 1983, her second husband, Loyd Beesecker in 2011, three brothers: Robert, Donald, and Leonard Lister, and a step-grandchild, Dusti Wunderlin.

Survivors include her son, Lewis (Betty) and their children, Angela and Ryan (Megan) Willimack; son Richard Willimack, daughter, Susanne (Myke) Wunderlin and stepson, John Flood.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, November 11, 2023, from 12:00 Noon until 3:00 p.m. at Martin Schwartz Funeral Home & Crematory in Lancaster.  A private family burial will be held in Hillside Cemetery, Lancaster.  In lieu of plants and flowers, a Velma C. Beesecker Memorial Fund has been established.