Velma I. Siel

The funeral service will be streaming live on Hutchins Funeral Home facebook page.

In Velma's honor memorials made be made to the Franklin Congregational church.

Velma Irene (Lipp) Siel of Franklin, Nebraska was born August 31, 1924, to Henry and Etta (Mosbarger) Lipp on the south side of the Nebraska-Kansas state line south of Franklin, Nebraska. She passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 30, 2024, at the Arbor Care Center in Franklin at the age of 99 years, 4 months and 30 days. She graduated from Franklin High School in 1942 and attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Kearney State Teachers College before teaching at 4 different area schools over the next 5 years. Velma taught at 2 rural schools in the Riverton area, and at the Huntley and Axtell elementary schools. Velma was united in marriage to Jack Siel on June 1, 1947, and was blessed with one daughter Nancy, and four sons Steve, John, Rich, and Todd. Velma and Jack went on wheat harvest for two summers during the years of 1947 and 1948 from Oklahoma to North Dakota. After that they moved to the Lipp family farm east of Franklin and lived there until moving to Riverton in 1958, then Franklin in 1959. She was an active member of PEO, Chapter BG of Franklin, VFW Auxiliary Post 6016 of Hildreth, and served as a Hospice volunteer for over 10 years.
 Velma was baptized at the Alma First Christian Church, Alma Nebraska, and was a member of the First Congregational UCC Church in Franklin. She served on multiple church committees, Women’s Fellowship, and also taught Sunday School for many years. Velma and Jack enjoyed several overseas trips to Europe, Scandinavia, Great Britain, and Russia. In Velma's later years she enjoyed watching her grandchildren and great grandchildren participate in different activities.
 Among those that preceded her in death were her husband, parents, siblings, and daughter Nancy Steinkruger.
 Survivors include: Son Steve and wife Diana, of Franklin, their children Tracy Frye (Danny) and their children Jade and Logan, Amanda Powers (partner Jason Norton) and their children Colton (Jessie) and Brady. Son John and wife Jo, of Maricopa, AZ, their children Roxanne, Joshua (Shelby), and Brigitte (fiancé Diego). Son Rich and wife Margaret, of Franklin, their children Zach (Brandi) and their children Austin, Tanner, and Merryl; Luke (Kerra) and their children Korbin, Khloe, and Zoey; Jake (Hannah). Todd and wife Melinda, of Franklin, their children Shane (Ale’) and their daughter Anika; Kassie (Bryan) Slocum and their children Perry, Kellen, and Millie. Son-in-law Roger Steinkruger and wife Mary Lou, of Lincoln, NE and their children Matthew, David, and Natalie (Kirk) and their children Kensi and Graham. A celebration of life service for Velma Irene (Lipp) Siel will be Saturday, February 3, 2024, at 11:00 a.m., First Congregational United Church of Christ, Franklin, Nebraska, with Pastor Jay Towell officiating. Casket bearers will be: Zach Siel, Luke Siel, Matt Steinkruger, Shane Siel, Roxanne Siel, Jake Siel, Kassie Slocum, David Steinkruger, Josh Siel, and Brigitte Siel. Interment will be in the Greenwood Cemetery, Franklin, Nebraska. The family suggests memorials to First Congregational UCC Church, Franklin, Nebraska. Hutchins Funeral Home, Franklin, Nebraska assisted the Siel family with these arrangements.