Velma Witt

Velma Witt, 92, of Bristol, passed away Thursday, June 4, 2026, at Sun Dial Manor in Bristol.

Memorial services will be 10:30am Saturday, July 11, 2026, at Westside Wesleyan Church in Bristol. Inurnment will be at Prairie Mound Cemetery near Butler.

Memorial visitation will be 5-7pm Friday, July 10, 2026, at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Sun Dial Manor or Westside Wesleyan Church.

Velma Arlene Horn Witt was born on July 17, 1933, in rural Moulton, Iowa, to Errett and Hattie Horn. She was the eldest of nine children: Velma, Shirley, Marilyn, Lola, Davis, Richard, Robert, Linda, and Randy.

Velma began her education at a one-room country school near Moulton. During her childhood, she attended country schools as her family moved several times—first relocating to a farm near Coatsville, Missouri, where her father worked, then later settling in Deep River, Iowa. She attended Deep River High School and graduated in 1951 as the class valedictorian. During her high school years, Velma worked as a telephone switchboard operator in Deep River.

Following high school, Velma moved to Des Moines, where she was employed by Equitable of Iowa and met Robert Hansen. The couple united in marriage on August 4, 1955, in West Des Moines, Iowa. They welcomed their first child, Jeanne, in 1956 and lived in an upstairs apartment where the landlady taught Velma to crochet, a skill she enjoyed her entire life. The family later moved to Oakland, Iowa, where their sons, Kevin and Curtis, were born. Following the sudden passing of Velma’s father in 1960, the couple moved to Billings, Montana, in the fall of 1962.

Before Christmas 1962, Robert Hansen disappeared despite efforts to locate him. Velma had no choice but to divorce him and return to Iowa with her three children. She moved into her mother’s home in Oskaloosa, later moving into a small one-room upstairs apartment. During this time, she worked tirelessly to provide for her family, holding positions as a meat wrapper at a grocery store, an evening waitress at a local cafe, and later at the Big Smith Overall Factory.

Velma later met Russell Price and they were married on May 20, 1969, in Lancaster, Missouri. Though the marriage ended in divorce in 1972, Velma welcomed her fourth child, Jeffrey “Jeff,” in July of that year in Oskaloosa. During this period, she worked as a nurse’s aide at Camair Nursing Home and discovered her passion for nursing.

Determined to further her education, Velma enrolled in nursing training at Indian Hills Community College in Centerville, Iowa, where she graduated at the top of her class in the spring of 1973. While attending school, she worked weekends at Camair Nursing Home. Velma began her nursing career at Camair, where she supervised the second floor, and later worked at Siesta Park Nursing Home as Director of Nurses and Mahaska County Hospital as an ER nurse.

In 1979, Velma married George “Roger” Pushor. The couple moved to Pierpont, South Dakota, in 1987. In 1990, Roger passed away following a battle with cancer. In 1994, Velma mourned the loss of her mother, Hattie, who also passed away from cancer. Velma became a South Dakota LPN and worked at various nursing homes before her retirement including Colonial Manor (now Golden Living Center) in Groton, Wheatcrest Hills Manor in Britton, and Sun Dial Manor in Bristol.

Later in life, Velma was wed once more. She married the love of her life, Robert Witt, on November 20, 2000. They made their home on Robert’s family farm southwest of Bristol before moving to their current home in Bristol in 2009. Together they shared 25 happy years of marriage filled with friendship, laughter, music, and cherished memories.

Velma treasured time spent with family and friends, and especially enjoyed listening to live music, visiting with loved ones, and sharing stories over a good cup of coffee. She found joy in crocheting, warm summer days, and the simple pleasures of meaningful conversation. Her kindness, steady presence, and caring nature made everyone around her feel welcomed and valued.

Above all, Velma was devoted to her family. Her life was marked by resilience, compassion, hard work, and love. She leaves behind a legacy of service, strength, and generosity that will be remembered by all who knew and loved her. She was a member of Red Hats Club, Master Gardeners, and a faithful member of the Westside Wesleyan Church in Bristol, where she would sing special music with her husband Robert.

Velma spent her last few years at Sun Dial. There, Robert often entertained the residents by playing the accordion, and she was an active participant in church and game activities. She continued crocheting for family and friends until her recent passing. While at the care center, the family held a 90th birthday celebration with many family and friends.

She will be missed by her loving husband Robert Witt of Bristol, SD; four children Jeanne (Barry) Marshall of Oskaloosa, IA, Kevin Hansen of Oskaloosa, IA, Curtis Hansen of Grand Prairie, TX, Jeff (Jessica) Price of Aberdeen, SD; stepchildren Shannan (Darrel) Thomas of Boise, ID, Sarah Witt of Bristol, SD, and Matthew McKenzie (Trina Wagner) Witt of Rapid City, SD; stepchildren (of Roger Pushor) Roger Lee Pushor of New Hampshire, Prescott Pushor of Roslyn, SD, Dawn (John) Flattery of Knoxville, IA, and Renee Lone of Pierpont, SD; twelve grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her siblings Shirley Van Dee of Williamsburg, IA, Linda Horn of Oskaloosa, IA, and Randy (Sherry) Horn of Oskaloosa, IA, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, daughter-in-law Lisa Hansen, grandson Nathan Hansen, stepson Dwayne Pushor (son of Roger Pushor) and siblings Marilyn, Lola, Richard, Robert, and Davis.