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(Jack) Velure of Kathryn passed away May 12, 2017, following a long struggle with Parkinson’s disease. Jack was the third generation in his family to operate the Velure farm, which was his greatest source of pride and happiness.
Jack was born the youngest child of William (Bill) and Dorothy Velure on June 23, 1939. He was baptized at the rural Ringsaker Lutheran Church, and the family remained members there until it closed, at which time they transferred to Spring Creek Lutheran Church in Hastings. He attended Hastings School and enjoyed 4-H, especially showing cattle. After high school, he attended Wahpeton School of Science, graduating with a degree in auto mechanics. He entered the U.S. Army in 1962, completing basic training at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri, and military police school in Augusta, Georgia, before serving 20 months at the Army’s Neckarsulm base near Stuttgart, Germany. He was honorably discharged in 1964.
Jack married Arlene (Len) Johnson of Hastings at Spring Creek following basic training on June 22, 1962. Their eldest son Todd was born in Germany in 1963. Upon discharge from the Army, Jack and Len moved to the Velure farm, where they raised cattle and small grains for the next 50 years. Their second son Trent was born in 1965 and daughter Tricia followed in 1973. A no-nonsense Norwegian farmer, Jack dedicated his life to farming. In the free time he allowed himself, he enjoyed dancing, listening to music, and visiting.
Jack is survived by his wife Len; son Todd (wife Terri, daughters Tiffani and Tierra) of Kathryn; son Trent (wife Anita, twins Zachary and Krista) of Horace, ND; daughter Tricia (husband Chad Nissen) of White Bear Township, MN; brother Clayton (wife Beverly) of Valley City; and sister Shirley Willson of Valley City. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Bob.
Visitation for Jack will be held Tuesday, May 16, from 5-7 p.m. at Oliver-Nathan Funeral Chapel, Valley City, with a prayer service at 7 p.m. The funeral service will be held Wednesday, May 17, at 2 p.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Kathryn. Interment will be at Spring Creek Cemetery near Hastings.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Oliver-Nathan Funeral Chapel. An online guestbook is available at www.olivernathanchapel.com.