Velma Bernice Brock

A funeral service for Velma B. Brock, 92, of Knoxville, will be held Friday, August 20, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at the Community of Christ Church, 714 Willetts Dr., Knoxville, IA. Burial will follow at the Graceland Cemetery in Knoxville.

A visitation open to the public will be held at the Community of Christ Church in Knoxville on Thursday beginning at 1:00 p.m. with family being present from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m.

Memorials are requested to the Community of Christ Church or to the American Cancer Society.

You may view the service by following the link on Velma's tribute page, https://my.gather.app/remember/velma-brock.

Velma was born July 25, 1929, on the family farm near Attica to Ralph Lawrence and Emma Bell (Lundy) Laird. She grew up in Attica, attending school until the 8th grade. At that time, she began working at the Overall Factory in Knoxville. She then went to work at the Veterans Administration Hospital in their housekeeping and laundry department, retiring in 1992. Being a hard worker her entire life, after retirement, she worked at the Knoxville Community School District in the cafeteria as well as worked for a home health care facility, making home visits for the elderly.

Velma was married to David Melvin Kuntz in 1956. They were blessed with 4 children: David, Melvin, Diane, and Malane. She then married Harold Brock. They enjoyed camping and fishing, especially fishing for catfish. They also loved country music and enjoyed attending music jams. Harold passed away in 1995.

Velma enjoyed embroidery and quilting. She would often pass the time doing her puzzle books. Her favorite baseball team was the St. Louis Cardinals, and she enjoyed watching them play. She disliked the sprint car races but couldn’t wait to host her family from Kansas which she did for over 20 years.

Velma loved to be on the go and was often found volunteering. She volunteered her time at church, and she enjoyed helping to provide meals for the Harvey Community Center. She loved to cook and bake, one of best pie bakers in Marion County. Her homemade bread was amazing, her boys said they never had store bought bread until they were out of high school, and Velma couldn’t believe it when they went shopping and brought it home for their lunch. She also enjoyed canning, as she learned during the depression era that nothing should go to waste. She and her daughters enjoyed gardening and making Christmas candy together. They would go shopping and occasionally to the casino.

Velma loved people, and she was a very giving and generous. She was a wonderful loving mother. Her grandchildren were the world to her and gave her so much joy. Her family will always remember the times spent together, from churning homemade ice cream, family Sunday dinners, fireworks, and especially the holidays when the family would all gather.

Velma passed away August 16, 2021, at the West Ridge Care Center in Knoxville. She will be greatly missed by her children and their families: David (Christie) Kuntz, Melvin (Penny) Kuntz, Diane Lovell, and Malane (Kent) McCorkle; grandchildren: David Vinton (Nicole), Chantell (Jordan), Haley (Jacob), Lacey (Evan), Rachel, Cody (Billie), Ashley, Amy (Tom), and Alivia (Jordan); 13 great grandchildren; sister, Elma June Small; and many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

Preceding her in death were her parents: Ralph and Emma Laird; husband, Harold Brock, and siblings: Lawrence, Martin, Gene, Amos, Ralph, Joy Dale, and infant Dorothy.