Velma Kending, age 96, of Trego, WI, passed away on Thursday, December 21, 2023, at Shell Lake Health Care Center.

Velma was born December 2, 1927, in Trego, WI, the daughter of Chester and Dorris (Pierce) Tostrud. Velma’s father, Chester, passed away when Velma was a small child and her mother married James Langdon who gave Velma his last name.

She lived in the Minong area most of her childhood and attended the Lampson School and graduated from Northwood High School in Minong. She continued her education at the University of Wisconsin, Superior. On March 18, 1947, Velma was joined in marriage to Paul Tolene. When Paul and his partners started a phone company in Minong, they put up poles and strung the lines, while Velma managed the switchboard and the accounting for the business. They also started their family and had four children together. After a lengthy illness, Paul passed away on May 8, 1955. Velma raised her children and continued work in the Minong area as a secretary and bookkeeper for several businesses, also working many years for the Northwood School District in those capacities. On December 28, 1972, Velma was joined in marriage to John Kending and welcomed his children into their home. Velma and John later moved to Iowa for several years before returning to the Minong area after their retirement. They built a home together outside of Trego. During her life, Velma was active as a leader for 4-H and Boy scouts. She also served as a member of the T&D group, Happy Hookers crocheters in Iowa, Eastern Star, and St. Mary’s and St. Francis De Sales Catholic Churches. Velma was a strong woman who despite many personal tragedies maintained a positive attitude for all who knew her, and loved and cared for her children and grandchildren as long as she lived.

Velma is survived by two children, Katherine (Ken) Simpson of Ortonville, MI, Sue (Bob) Kending of Lampson, WI; step children, Martin (Barbara) Kending, Ellen Hudson, both of Hagerstown, MD; daughter-in-law, Susan Tolene of Tavares, FL; step daughter-in-law, Kay Kending of Cascade, MD; 19 grandchildren, 37 great grandchildren and 6 great great grandchildren; siblings, Ronald (Gloria) Langdon, Joseph (Bernadine) Langdon; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Paul and John; daughter, Janet and Donald Pflug and their infant son Robert (Robbie)Pflug; son, Jerome Tolene; stepson, Daniel Kending; step son-in-law, Robert Hudson; sisters, Mary Ellen Harper and Doris Jean Beam and Allene Grissom: great grandson Roan Izer.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held for Velma at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 28th, 2023, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Minong, WI with Father Philip Juza officiating. Visitation will be from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. on Thursday at the church. Interment will follow at the Greenwood Cemetery in Minong.

Last Update: Dec 26, 2023 3:08 pm CST