Funeral Services for Velma Metschke, age 87, of Atkinson and formerly of Chambers, will be at 10:30 A.M., Friday, May 5, 2017, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Chambers, NE, with burial in the Chambers Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 5-7 P.M., Thursday, May 4, 2017, with a 6:30 P.M. Prayer Service at Biglin's Mortuary in O'Neill.

Velma passed away Monday, May 1, 2017, at the Good Samaritan Society in Atkinson, NE.

Memorials may be made to the family for future designation.

Velma Louise Snider was born on December 20, 1929, in Diagonal, IA, to William and Julia (Dellenburg) Snider. She moved with her family to Nebraska, and later graduated from Ewing High School in 1947.

On February 14, 1950, Velma married Merle Peterson, and to this union, 6 children were born:  Jim, Jerry, Jackie, Pete, Mike and Joeline. Merle passed away on March 21, 1970.  On June 23, 1973, she married Orville Metschke in O'Neill, and they made their home in Chambers.  Orville passed away on July 27, 2001.

Velma was active in the St. Paul Lutheran Church, Ladies Aid, and Auxiliary Post #320.  She enjoyed her garden club and card club, as well as crocheting.  She loved to read and liked spending time tending to her flower garden.

Velma is survived by her 6 children: Jim Peterson of Monte Vista, CO, Jerry Peterson and wife Gerri of Chambers, NE, Jackie Denker of Chambers, NE, Pete Peterson of Omaha, NE, Mike Peterson and wife Paquitta of La Palma, CA, Joeline Baratta of Erickson, NE, 6 step children: Eugene Metschke and wife Barb, Ralph Metschke and wife Georgia, Phillip Metschke, Mary Ann Babutzke, Maxine Bennett and husband Jerry, Margene Emme, and daughter-in-law, Maureen Metschke, and numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her 2 husbands; Merle Martin Peterson and Orville Metschke, one sister, 3 brothers, and one son-in-law, Don Emme.