Velma Faye Owen was born on February 15, 1924, in Dunn, Missouri to Lloyd James and Edith Mary (Thompson) Martin.  She passed away on July 24, 2023, at Ambassador Health in Sidney, Iowa, at the age of 99 years, 5 months, and 9 days.

Velma was born in Dunn, Missouri, but the family moved to Nebraska City, Nebraska for a year before moving to Sidney, Iowa where she grew up.  At age 11, she was hired to help a housecleaning crew.  She attended Spring Valley Country School in rural Fremont County.  Following her eighth-grade year, she moved back Nebraska City and worked and stayed with an aunt and uncle, working in the orchard and the sewing and canning factories.

On December 16, 1942, Velma was united in marriage to Charles Frances Owen in Rockport, Missouri.  In 1951 they settled in Essex, Iowa for 30 years.  She enjoyed embroidering and crocheting in years past.  Also, enjoyed reading, gardening and canning fruits and vegetables.

Velma was preceded in death by her husband Charles Frances Owen, daughter Frances Faye Owen, son Charles Lee Owen, parents Lloyd and Edith Martin, sisters Wilma Stubbs, Eva Blankenship, Lena Bruce, Marilyn Beasley, Earlene Cary, Carolyn Ward and Mary Reeves, bothers Billy, James, Lenard, and Robert Martin.

She is survived by her granddaughter Lisa Wallace and husband Derek of Shenandoah, Iowa, grandson Charles Scott Owen and wife Linda of Louisville, Nebraska, five great grandchildren Tara Healey, Tamara McClarnon, Mia Wallace, Tanner Owen, and Madison Owen, four great-great grandchildren Noah, Lexi, Jude, and Remi, numerous nieces, nephews, other family and friends.

Celebration of Life Memorial Graveside Service will be held 11:00 a.m., Saturday, July 29, 2023 at the Mt. Olive Cemetery in rural Hamburg, Iowa.  Memorials may be directed to the Ambassador Health of Sidney, Iowa.