Velma Jean Runestad, 93, of Mitchell, passed away Feb. 27, 2019, at Ava’s House in Sioux Falls, after living at Good Samaritan Home in Lennox for five years.

She was born Jan. 1, 1926, near Mt. Vernon to John and Lula (Olson) Breland. She was baptized March 21, 1926, at Victor Lutheran Church, near Mt. Vernon, and confirmed Nov. 5, 1939, at Storla Lutheran Church.

She attended rural schools in Davison and Sanborn County and high school in Mt. Vernon, graduating in 1943 from Mitchell High School. Her family moved to Washington in 1943.

She worked at Western Union in Tacoma before her marriage on Nov. 25, 1945, to Merle Runestad in Puyallup, Wash. They moved back to Mitchell in 1948, where she and Merle raised six children.

She worked at Midwest Church Supply, Tradehome and Brown Shoes. For ten years, she worked at the Mitchell Middle School. She was a member of First Lutheran Church for 70 years. She was active in her circles, choir and Ladies’ Aid. She also volunteered at the Friends of the Middle Border Museum and thrift store.

Velma is survived by her daughters, Christine (Ken) Dierks of Sioux Falls, and Rebecca (Darrel) Dewald of Lakeville, Minn.; sons, David Runestad of Eagan, Minn., Robert Runestad of Broomfield, Colo., and Dan (Amy) Runestad of Custer; eight grandchildren; sisters, Annabelle (Bob) Swanson and Marilyn (Jim) Berry, both of Puyallup, Wash.; and sister-in-law, Eunice Breland of Miller.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Merle; her daughter, Jeanne Hodges; daughter-in-law, Darlette Runestad; her brother, Irvin Breland; and her parents.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to First Lutheran Church in Mitchell or Good Samaritan Society in Lennox.