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Obituary

Velma Joy Bachtell, age 93, of Burlington, died on Thursday, July 29, 2021, at Henry County Health Center, Mt. Pleasant, Iowa.
She was born July 14, 1928, in Des Moines, Iowa, the daughter of Rollie Andy and Mary Madeline Garnet French. She was married to Thomas David Bachtell in Ottumwa, Iowa on December 30, 1945. He preceded her in death on November 4, 2003.
Velma completed her high school education at Burlington Community High School in 1972, graduating between her daughter and her youngest son and was a long-time homemaker, retiring from her duties as custodian at the Masonic Temple in Burlington in 1998.
She was a long-time member of West Hill United Methodist Church, where she served on numerous boards and committees, was a Sunday school teacher and a member of the Sunshine Circle. She was a member of Burlington Chapter #545 and White Star Chapter #388 of Mediapolis, Order of the Eastern Star and was Past Matron of Burlington Chapter. She was currently a member of E. C. Blackmar Chapter, #306 and New London Chapter #440, Order of the Eastern Star. She became a 50 year member of Eastern Star in 2015. She was a member of Hawkeye Links and the International Grand Representatives Association of the Order of the Eastern Star. She was also a member and Past President of Ottumwa Assembly #9 of the Social Order of the Beauceant in Ottumwa. Velma was awarded the Grand Cross of Color by the Supreme Assembly International Order of the Rainbow for Girls. She also received the Governors Volunteerism Award in 2002.
She is survived by three sons, David (Julia) Bachtell of Donna, Texas, Darrell (Cindy) Bachtell of Burlington, Iowa, Bruce (Della) Bachtell of Cross Roads, Texas, one daughter, Susan (Dennis) Trudo of Mineola, Texas, and one daughter-in-law, Mary Bachtell of West Burlington, Iowa, one sister, Betty McKitrick of Monmouth, Illinois, two brothers, Theodore Channel of Eagle, Idaho, and Leo Channel of Wessington Springs, South Dakota; grandchildren Donna Carlsen, Beth (David) Geltz, Heather (Jerry II) Hayes, Dustin (Jennifer) Bachtell, Anthony Bachtell, Jason (Jackie Murray) Bennett, Jamie South, Colin (Cayce) Trudo, and Scott Trudo; great-grandchildren, Sarah (Austin) Schwartz, Jerry Hayes, Jacob (Anita) Bachtell, Meagan Machholz, Marcus(Jacqui) Lane, Marissa (Robert Fross) Hayes, Amber Bachtell, Michael Bachtell, Braden Bachtell, Bryan Bennett, Kennedy Bachtell, Laela Murray, Verena Murray, Skyler South, Corbin South, Gavin Hayes, Isabelle Trudo, Ashlyn Bennett, Archer Trudo, Ethan Trudo, and Evelynn Trudo; great-great grandchildren, Arabella Schwartz, Asher Schwartz, and Zoey Hayes, also nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, two sons, Dale and Evan, one grandson, one great-great-granddaughter, one sister and three brothers.
The visitation for Mrs. Bachtell will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 4th at Lunning Chapel. A public Eastern Star service will be held at 7:00 p.m.
The funeral service for Mrs. Bachtell will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, August 5th at West Hill United Methodist Church. The Rev. Tamara Wirt will officiate. Interment will be in Aspen Grove Cemetery. Following the burial, there will be a luncheon at First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), 1221 Park Avenue, Burlington.
Memorials can be made for West Hill United Methodist Church and the Burlington Masonic Temple Association.
Online condolences may be made by visiting www.lunningfuneralchapel.com