Velma Ann Kuykendall

Velma was born in Purdum, Nebraska October 11, 1935. She was the 9th child of 11 for Sarah (Sadie) Ann (Daniels) and John Fredrick Meyer. Velma grew up working hard together with her family. The family moved from the sand hills of Nebraska to the Auburn/Evans area of Colorado in 1939, due to her mom’s asthma. The family was poor and worked in the beet fields. Her job was mostly thinning, but changed in her thirteenth summer when she was given the choice to either work the fields or cook for a family of 13. She always said she wasn’t stupid, and it was hot outside, so she chose the house work. She was to care for two younger siblings in addition to chores. Her chores included tending over 1000 fryers, and carrying water and feed so that the family could have a daily meal. Her job was to dress at least 6 chickens a day and make a dishpan of bread for the family meal. This was all done on a wood stove. Her daddy always made sure the wood box stayed full. Velma started school after moving to Colorado. She stayed in school through the 8th grade attending the Pillar Fire School in Greeley, CO. Her high school education would have been in Denver, but the family could not afford for her to go. Velma was married at the age of 16, on February 8, 1952. This day was share by her favorite brother, 2 years her senior, Virgil and his bride for life, Betty, in a double wedding. Velma had 4 children from 1953-1965. Michael Copeland in 1953, Craig Copeland in 1957, Roxann (Copeland) Burtis in 1959, and lastly, Tracy Copeland, in 1965. Mike went to heaven as an infant of 4 months, and was especially remembered on his birthday and the day he entered heaven. Craig and Tracy live in Athol, Idaho with their own families. Roxann lives in the Garwood area with her family. Velma was married to B L (Bill) Kuykendall on August 14, 1969, after starting a new life with him in California and her three kids in 1968. The Kuykendall’s shared 48 years together, living in the Tracy, Livermore, Manteca, Modesto, Rumsey, Brooks, and Santa Cruz areas of California for 23 years. They called Livermore home, mostly working on ranches as managers of the operation. In June 1975, they got a call that Bill’s son Kelvin could come to live with them. Velma said to Bill, “You’re raising mine so I can raise yours.” So she raised her third son, Kelvin. Kelvin lives in Oregon with his extended family. In 1984, Velma got her GED and then attended the California College of Beauty in Modesto, CA, graduating as a Nail Tech. After graduating, she opened her own shop in Manteca, CA. She always had beautiful red nails, and could often be found polishing a great grandchild’s fingers or toes. She liked to look good, and always had money for hair dye and a tube of lipstick. She was always dressed well, and few knew her clothes were from a rag store or garage sale. In 1991, B.L. and Velma decided to buy land in Athol, Idaho, after visiting her brother Myron. They purchased a 20 acre parcel next to him on Homestead Road. She volunteered at the ABC Food Bank in Athol, as well as working for many years as a nail tech, next to Patty, who did hair. She was always quick to share a joke or story, and give extra care to the elderly. She worked at Elite Care, doing nails and later, cooked for the residents. She had many jobs over the years, she worked in a turkey plant, tended bar, waitress, sorted walnuts, was a Tupperware dealer, and Celebrity Jewelry representative. She always did what she could to help the family make a living. One year she canned 156 quarts of food to help get through the winter. Last fall she made jelly to share with family and friends. Velma loved to garden, cook, decorate, thrift shop, and go to the casino. She was able to turn a heavily forested piece of acreage to a beautifully tended garden in the time they lived in Athol. When they moved to Post Falls three years ago, she did it all over again on a fresh piece of property at a newly built home. Velma’s cooking was legendary amongst the family, as well as with all those she would share her goodies with. Maybe it was because of her poor upbringing, and their often lack of enough food, but when Velma would cook, boy, did she cook. No one could ever say they didn’t get their fill, nor would they ever go home without enough for another meal of left overs. During Athol days, she won a pie contest with what the judge to be the best pie he ever tasted. She created many memories with the grandchildren by baking donuts and breads until all hours of the night, just because they asked. She recently spent time rolling out pie dough with her one of her great granddaughters. As for decorating, she had talent, and lately had been adding to her collection of rooster decor. She was always willing to share plants or some seeds of knowledge of gardening. Her love of gardening came from her mama. Even though she kept so busy she would find time to create beautiful quilts that she shared with many in the family. She moved often, but she always made a house a home for everyone to enjoy. She was quick to get the curtains hung, and left no boxes unpacked within the first week. She loved her family and friends to visit, no matter how many there were and always offered them something to eat. She was a good wife, mom, mother figure, grandma, great grandma, and friend to so many. Velma was predeceased by all of her siblings, except for Eldon Meyer, of Greely, CO, as well as her son, Mike, and her favorite son-in-law, Rodney Burtis. She is survived by her loving husband, B.L. and her four children. Velma had a large extended family with 15 grandchildren and also many great grandchildren. A Celebration of Velma's life will be held on Sunday, March 13, 2016 ~ 1:00pm at The Shrine Club Event Center, 1250 Lancaster Rd. Hayden, ID. Lunch & pie will follow service. Please wear either Velma's favorite color "red" or some other bright and festive color. For the ladies, if you have a favorite special hat please feel free to wear and show it off.