Velma L. Gapinski, age 96, of Gaylord, died peacefully on Thursday, May 26, 2022, surrounded by her loving family. She was born September 10, 1925, in Gaylord, MI, to William and Olive (Shaff) Hansen.
She attended the Little Red School and graduated from Gaylord Community School in 1944. On October 27, 1945, she married Blase Gapinski, and together they raised five children on the family farm north of Gaylord. They were married for 53 years.
Velma was a member of St. Mary Cathedral Parish, St. Mary Altar Rosary Society, Otsego County Farm Bureau, and the Otsego County Historical Society for many years.
She had a deep passion for her family and touched many lives with her kindness, patience, and generosity. Velma worked hard alongside her husband and children on their 300-acre farm, milking cows, raising a large garden, canning, and helping in the fields.
She enjoyed spending time in the kitchen cooking for family and friends. She never knew how many would show up at the dinner table unexpectedly, but she was always able to come up with plenty of food. No one ever left hungry. She loved baking cookies with her great-grandkids.
She and her husband made great friendships and wonderful memories with couples they shared trips with. She enjoyed listening to polka music whether it was at a party, on television, or on the radio.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Blase; children, Thomas Gapinski, and Mary Brewer; her parents; and her brothers, William and Ford Hansen, and special sister-in-law Barbara Hansen.
She is survived by her children, Donald (Mary) Gapinski, Bernard (Denise) Gapinski, and Helen (Richard) Cook all of Gaylord; 11 grandchildren, Sandy (Mike) Somers, Douglas (Jessica) Gapinski, Chad (Nora Robinson) Gapinski, Nathan (Ryan Bunting) Gapinski, Coleen (Scott) Franckowiak, Patrick Cook, Douglas (Amiee) Brewer, Dean (Sara) Gapinski, Sara (Scot) Middlebrook, Terry (Angela) Gapinski and Molly (John) Snyder; 22 great-grandchildren; and 2 great-great-grandchildren. Also surviving are, her sisters, Norma Gapinski, and Ilah Coviak, both of Gaylord; and brother, Donald (Marion) Hansen of Swartz Creek, MI.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, June 4, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. from St. Mary Cathedral, 606 N. Ohio Ave., Gaylord, MI 49735.
Visitation will be held at the Nelson Funeral Home, 135 N. Center Ave., Gaylord, MI, on Friday, June 3, 2022, from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. St. Mary Altar Rosary Society will offer a Rosary at the funeral home on Friday (June 3) at 4:30 p.m.
Visitation will continue Saturday, June 4, 2022, from St. Mary Cathedral, from 10:00 a.m., until the time of Mass.
Velma will be laid to rest next to her husband, at Fairview Cemetery in Gaylord, MI.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary Cathedral Schools (606 N. Ohio Ave., Gaylord, MI) or the Otsego County Historical Society, (P.O. Box 1223
Gaylord, MI 49734.)
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Nelson Funeral Home and Cremation Service, PO Box 1548, Gaylord, MI 49734. www.nelsonsfuneralhome.com
28 comments on “Velma L. Gapinski”
Helen, very sorry to hear. Your mom is in our prayers.
Joe and Marie Prebenda
My sincerest sympathy to the family. She was a beautiful lady with so much love.
She always treated Dick and me with such loving attention. May she finally Rest In Peace.
Love you, Velma. 💕
Thoughts & prayers for the family.
Hugs.
Susie Coultes Kahl
May the Angels lead her into Paradise. 😇
Such a sweet lady, the Heavens are blessed.
Prayers for the family. God bless.
I’m so sorry Bernie, Denise, Nathan, and family. I never met her, but I know and love you all, so she must have been pretty amazing. Thinking of you and praying for peace and comfort. Love you.
Angela Thompson
So very sorry for your family’s loss. You will all be in my thoughts and prayers.
Such a gracious lady, she will be missed by many. Prayers for the family.
To the Gapinski family,
My prayers are with all of you. Hold her precious memories close to your heart. May her soul rest in peace. She was such a beautiful person. Heaven gained another angel. Love to all of you.
Pat Kile (Zimbicki)
We are so very sorry for your loss. Mrs. Gapinski was a remarkable and kind woman and we are blessed to have known her. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Aunt Velma was loved by many. I was able to visit her last summer and enjoyed our visit. We will miss you Aunt Velma and will always remember how kind-hearted you were, you were truly blessed.
Love you!
Rest In Peace Velma, such a kind and sweet woman. My thoughts and prayers to the family, what a great loss.
Dear Gapinski Family, Your dear mom became a special friend to me, may she Rest In Peace.
Velma was such a wonderful woman. We have so many fond memories of her! God gave us a truly beautiful, loving role model.
Our sincerest condolences and prayers to the family. Aunt Velma had the biggest heart and kindest words. You will be forever missed.
Kelly, Kirk, Ben & Nathan Sobocinski
Our sincerest condolences and prayers to the family. Aunt Velma had the biggest heart and kindest words. You will be forever missed.
Kelly Sobocinski
To the Gapinski Family, we are so sorry for the loss of a wonderful and lovely lady. May she rest in peace and that she knows how many people loved her and will miss her. I’m sure everyone who knew her will miss her and her lemon meringue pie. Prayers and thoughts go out to all of her loving family. God Bless her family.
Helen, Don and Bernie I am sorry for your loss. Aunt Velma was a wonderful lady.
I am sorry to see the passing of Velma
Love admired respected by so many
My condolences to all family
Pat Makins
I am already missing the birthday parties for Velma. And we had a lot of them, didn’t we! So many good memories. Velma always had kind words and a pure heart and soul. I will always remember her.
Velma is in paradise and enjoying family and old farming friends such as my parents. God Bless you all.
The Czarkowski’s send our condolences to the Gapinski family. We have been neighbors for many years.
Angeline said her closest friend was Velma. A kind, gracious, caring person who would always make you
feel welcomed. We will truly miss. May perpetual light shine upon her.
Velma was God’s angel on earth., so sweet and kind. I used to tease her about being my girlfriend and one time she jokingly said: “I would but I’m too young for you”. Just like everyone has said, she truly was a wonderful lady and will be missed.
Aunt Velma was a very special lady. So many fond memories for me.
Love ❤️ to her family.
Patty Hansen Diedrich
My condolences, I enjoyed visiting with her every chance I had, she will be missed! RIP NEIGHBOR.
I will always remember Velma with fondness – her kindness, her genuine interest in others, and her guidance as my “polka partner” at numerous dances when I was growing up. Always enjoyed visits Velma and Blaze shared with my parents (Frank & Eileen Fox). My condolences to Velma’s entire family.
Velma had a way of finding her way into the hearts of many including Mel and me. We will miss seeing her at family doings. Our condolences to all the family.
Mel and Kathy
I will remember Velma as a sweet inviting woman . Always looking out for others needs. She will be missed.
I will never forget this kind woman’s smile and her gentle demeanor. Taught me how to make homemade noodles and gravy. She was such a community asset that will be dearly missed. Hoping memories comfort you in the the coming days ahead!❤️
To Velma’s Family: She was such a special lady, always happy to see you. I know that she will be missed by so many people. Our prayers and condolences to each of you.