Mrs. Velma Katherine Mahnesmith, 97, of Elkhart, passed away peacefully at Woodland Manor in Elkhart on Tuesday, February 14, 2023 at 8:50 pm. She was born in Ligonier on October 18, 1925 to the late Fred and Louisa (Growcock) Duesler. On January 16, 1943, she married Berton W. Mahnesmith in Albion. He passed away in South Bend in 1997.

Surviving Velma are her sons Roger (Sherry) and Richard "Dick" (Cindy) Mahnesmith, both of Edwardsburg; her daughter Connie (Tony) Hardy of Elkhart; 13 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren and 17 great-great grandchildren, plus a loving host of extended family, good friends and neighbors. Preceding her in death are brothers Robert, Herbert and Arthur Duesler; sister Helen Lohrie, and a long line of faithful canine friends including Boomer, Jock, Fritz and B.J.

Billings Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Elkhart will host Velma's homegoing celebration beginning with a viewing on Wednesday, February 22, 2023 from 1 pm to 4 pm. Then on Thursday, February 23, 2023 a brief funeral service will take place there at 10:00 am. In accordance with Velma's wishes, cremation will follow the visitation, and she will then be buried at Sweet Cemetery near Albion, Indiana following Thursday's services at 1:00 pm.

Velma worked for many years in the meat department at several area grocery stores. She enjoyed being outdoors, and subsequently, she liked to fish, camp and tend to her backyard garden and feeding all the little critters around the house. She even mowed her own lawn up until she was 86 years old.

She was a great cook, and loved nothing more than the holidays, when she could showcase her cooking talents and make mouthwatering delectables for those she loved. She literally always had something on the stove, and if you ever left hungry, it was from your own accord. Her house was always a favorite "holiday headquarters" for the grandkids as well, and Velma would enjoy doing kitchen-oriented things with them like canning tomatoes and baking. Grandma always had plenty of chocolate chip cookies and ice cream to go 'round, or even have a certs mint tucked away for you in her purse. Later, all of the board games came out and Grandma would take on everyone in epic battles of Yahtzee and Euchre and such. If nothing else, even just sitting in front of grandma's fireplace was a special treat.

Velma was also an accomplished square dancer.

Please visit our funeral home's website and Velma's obituary page to leave condolences and memories. Memorial donations may go to the Humane Society of Elkhart County.

Elkhart County Humane Society
54687 County Road 19, Bristol IN 46507
Tel: 1-574-848-4225
Web: http://www.info@elkharthumanesociety.org