DEBRA ANN VELK obituary

Debra "Debbie" Ann Velk, 55, died of natural causes April 19, 2010, at her home in Lawry, Colo. Debbie was born Sept. 8, 1954, in Havre, Mont., to Richard and Shirley M. (Sisson) Velk. She attended elementary school at Miller School north of Havre. Debbie graduated from Havre High School in 1972, after which she attended Northern Montana College. Debbie attended Denver Community college earning an associate degree in business, of which she was very proud. She married Mike Lansey, and they moved to Dover, Del., where her husband was stationed in the Air Force. After several years, they moved to Denver and were later divorced. Debbie remained in Denver where she was employed by the United Bank, now known as Wells Fargo, for 11 years. She also worked for TCI for several years. She married John Collard in July 1996; they later divorced. Debbie worked for Wal-Mart until poor health forced her to retire in 2005. Debbie was a member of the Presbyterian Evangelical Protestant Church. She was a member of the Steven Ministry and enjoyed helping those in need. She wanted everyone to have a special relationship with Jesus as she did. Debbie enjoyed the outdoors and spent many hours watching the wildlife that wandered into her backyard at her home in Parker, Colo. She loved animals of all kinds and especially her kitties, Snug and Gracey Lou. She also took pleasure in camping and hiking before she became ill. In the past few years, she spent her spare time reading, working on crafts, making jewelry for her family and friends, and spending time with family and friends in the Denver area and in Montana. Debbie was a feisty, strongwilled person. Anyone who knew her appreciated her for her special way of caring for you. If you were ill, Debbie would research your illness and try to help you if she could. She was fondly referred to as "Doctor Debbie" by close family and friends. Debbie is survived by her father, Richard of Havre; her brother and his wife, Michael and Penny of Havre; her sister and her husband, Julie and Todd Winchell of Littleton, Colo .; nephews, Preston Ray and Joseph Velk, both of Havre; and nieces, Aimee and Sarah Velk or Missoula, Mont. She is also survived by many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends, as well as Gracey Lou, her beloved kitty and loyal friend. Debbie was preceded in death by her mother, Shirley M. Velk, and grandparents, Alice and Thomas Velk and Mae and John Alvstad. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. May 3, 2010, at the Fifth Avenue Christian Church. A fellowship luncheon will follow in the fellowship hall of the church. Inurnment will take place at Highland Cemetery immediately following the luncheon. Chad Leathermon, pastor, will officiate. In lieu of flowers, Debbie requested that memorial funds be designated to the American Heart Association, Kitty Keepers of Havre or an animal shelter of your choice. A memorial service for family and friends residing in the Denver area was held April 22, 2010, at Presbyterian Evangelical Protestant Church in Parker, Colo.