Funeral services for Velma I. Cunningham, age 79, of Albert Lea, will be held on Monday, Nov. 18, at 10:30 a.m. at the Church of St. Theodore. The Rev. Robert Schneider will officiate. Burial will be in St. Theodore’s Cemetery. Visitation will be today from 4-7 p.m. at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home with a prayer service at 5 p.m.

Velma died on Friday, Nov. 15, 2002, at St. John’s Lutheran Home.

Velma Ida Cunningham was born on Feb. 25, 1923 in Mansfield Township, Freeborn County, the daughter of Gilbert and Sally (Benson) Helland. She attended District 84 school and graduated from Emmons High School. On March 15, 1941, Velma was united in marriage to Francis J. Cunningham at St. Theodore’s Catholic Church. Being married to a career military man, the couple lived in various areas of the country. Velma would work as a seamstress in most of the areas. In December of 1963 the couple retired and moved back to Albert Lea where Velma worked at Clothing Care Center. She enjoyed cooking, sewing, quilting and embroidery. Velma was a member of the VFW Ladies Auxilary and the Altar Quild at St. Theodore’s.

Survivors include her son, Patrick and wife Kathy Cunningham, Felicity, Ohio; daughter, Fran and husband Bill Fynbo, Albert Lea; grandchildren: Rhonda and husband Rick Oney, Brian and wife Diana Cunningham, Diane Cunningham, Dawn and husband Brian Stephens, Marty Hershey, Mathew and wife Carrie Hershey; step-grandchildren, Eric Fynbo and Beth Covais; great-grandchildren, Ashley, Amber, Jacob, Jeanette, Luke, Lauryn and Brooklyn; brothers and sisters, Leona and husband Harold Bye, Marvel and husband Herb Schewe, Gertrude and husband Melvin Mattson, Floyd Helland and friend Penny, and Glenn and wife Alicia Helland.

Velma was preceded in death by her parents; husband Francis; great-grandson, Laurence Nicholas Cunningham in infancy; sister, Esther Scott; brothers, Lester Helland and Rudolph Helland; and sisters-in-law, Jean and Karen Helland.