Velma Irene Backes Butt

Velma Irene Backes Butt, a beloved mother, wife, sister and friend, passed away peacefully on November 20, 2024, at the age of 90. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. on Saturday, November 23, 2024 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Alden with burial in Union Cemetery on the family farm southeast of Dows. Visitation will be an hour before the service. Funeral arrangements are under the guidance of the Surls Funeral Home in Iowa Falls. 

Velma was born on February 14, 1934, in the family home northeast of Luzerne IA, to Edward & Emma Backes. Velma was baptized and confirmed at St. John Lutheran Church in Keystone. She graduated from Blairstown High School in 1951.

In January 1961, mutual friends set her up on a blind date with Ivan Butt from Dows. They were engaged on New Years Eve 1961 and were married on September 22, 1962, in Keystone. They lived and farmed southeast of Dows until 2014 when they moved to Iowa Falls. In 2020 they moved to Brio of Johnston to be closer to their family. Together, they raised two children, instilling in them the same faith in God that guided their own life. Velma took pride in her family, always finding joy in family gatherings, holiday traditions, and the milestones of her children and family members.

Velma was an active member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Alden and the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League. She enjoyed traveling to the annual conventions and retreats. Velma was known for her gentle spirit, warm smile, and boundless compassion. Throughout her life, she touched countless lives with her generosity and unwavering support. She was the heart of her family and community, always ready to lend a helping hand or offer a comforting word.

Velma was also very community minded. Throughout her life she gave her time to Franklin County Pork Producers, Franklin County Cattlemen, Franklin County Farm Bureau Women, Franklin County 4-H and the Dows Historical Society. She spent many hours volunteering at the Dows Depot Welcome Center and enjoyed meeting and visiting with travelers from all 50 states, and many foreign countries that made their way to Dows each year.

Velma is survived by her loving husband of 62 years Ivan, her son, Brian and his wife Nan Boland of Polk City, her sisters, Alice Heitshusen of Williamsburg, Luella Scott of Mechanicsville, Frances Magdefrau of Belle Plaine, sister-in-law Ruth Noelck of Hampton and her nieces and nephews and their families, and her many friends. Preceding her in death were her parents, Edward & Emma Backes, sister Martha Lehrman, brother Franklin Backes, brother-in-laws, LaVern Meinberg, William Noelck, Melvin Lehrman, Edgar Heitshusen, John D. Scott and Don Magdefrau, nieces Gayle Lehrman and Jan Magdefrau, nephews Dean and Mark Heitshusen and her beloved son Jerry.

Velma leaves behind a legacy of faith, love and kindness. She will be deeply missed but fondly remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing her.

The family is grateful to all of Velma’s caregivers, especially the Brio of Johnston family who cared for Velma so graciously.

I have put my trust in the Lord God... Psalms 73-28b

In lieu of flowers the family kindly requests memorials be made to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Alden, IA in her memory.