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Portrait of Velma Luella Mae Cowell

In loving memory

Velma Luella Mae Cowell

January 20, 1930 – February 12, 2024

Lived 94 years

Brainerd, MN

Life story

Velma Luella Mae Cowell, age 94, of Brainerd, passed away on Monday, February 12, 2024, at St Joseph’s – Essentia Medical Center. Velma was born on January 20, 1930, in Mankato to Henry & Luella (Leffler) Krueger.

Left to cherish her memory are her children, Linda Wilson, Helen (Patrick) Brophy, James (Karen Peterson) Cowell and Robin Cowell; 11 grandchildren; 21 great grandchildren; 2 great-great grandchildren.

Velma is preceded in death by her parents; sons, Herbert and Ricky; an infant son; brothers, Henry Krueger and Wendell Krueger; sister, Averil Allen; infant siblings, Ronald and Ronna; granddaughter, Shirley.

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Lifetime

The world Velma knew

Family milestones in gold, history for context

1930

Born January 20

1939

Velma was 9 when "The Wizard of Oz" opened in theaters

1944

Velma was 14 when Allied troops landed at Normandy on D-Day

1955

Velma was 25 when the Salk polio vaccine was declared safe and effective

1969

Velma was 39 when the Woodstock music festival opened

1974

Velma was 44 when Richard Nixon resigned the presidency

1989

Velma was 59 when "The Simpsons" debuted as a series

1998

Velma was 68 when Google was founded

2001

Velma was 71 when Apple introduced the iPod

2010

Velma was 80 when Instagram was launched

2022

Velma was 92 when Queen Elizabeth II died after 70 years on the throne

2024

Passed away February 12, age 94

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