Velma Ludens, 89, of Spearfish, formerly of Springfield

Funeral Services are 10:30 AM, Saturday, November 29, 2014 at the Emmanuel Reformed Church in Springfield. Burial is in the Emmanuel Reformed Cemetery, rural Springfield. Visitation will be Friday from 4 to 7 PM with the family present from 5 -7 PM at the Crosby-Jaeger Funeral Home in Springfield.

Velma Ruth Ludens was born in rural Avon, SD to Peter and Anna (Lidtke) Unruh on July 6, 1925. She died Saturday, November 22, 2014 at Rapid City Regional Hospital in Rapid City.

Velma attended the rural Mennonite School and went to high school in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She married Maynard Jacob Ludens at the Emmanuel Reformed Church, rural Springfield and had 55 wonderful years together. Their marriage was the first public candle light wedding ceremony performed in that church. Together they farmed and Velma also worked at the Mary Jane Nursing Home in Springfield, the Good Samaritan Center in Tyndall and worked at CR Industries in Springfield for 10 years. She moved to Spearfish 10 years ago to be near her family.

Velma will be remembered for her love of embroidering, cross stitch, league and tournament bowling and the Sweet Adelines. Velma was a life long member of her church and was a member of Willing Workers and the church choir.

Thankful for having shared her life are her children: Lynnette and husband William Johnson of Mesa, AZ; Merritt and wife Debbie Ludens and Russell and wife Andrea-Milano Ludens all of Spearfish; eight grandchildren: Troy Ludens of Spearfish; Jamie and wife Shawn Ludens of Spearfish; Vicki and husband Todd Johnson of Volga; Kristi and husband Brad Letcher of Huron; Chris and wife Michelle Ludens of Spearfish; Cassie Ludens and fiance´ Tom Anderson of Sergeant Bluff IA; Angela Charlson and fiance´ Scott Hanson of Spearfish; and Jennifer and husband Joshua Eymann of Auburn, WA; 16 great grandchildren: Sean and wife Kaylee Johnson; McKenna and Cooper Letcher; Trista, Miriah, Derrek, Slayton, Trey, Brandon, Tyler and Katelyn Ludens; Nevaeh, Caiden and Paiten Gee; Addyson Charlson; and Conner Eymann; one great-great grandchild, Jada Johnson; and two sisters-in-law: Marcie Ludens of Springfield and Gertrude DeJong of Winner.

Velma was preceded in death by her husband Maynard on August 12, 2001, parents, five sisters and one brother.