Velva Louise Graening-Ziegler

Velva Louise Graening-Ziegler, passed away at 1:40 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 26, 2009.

Louise was born March 13, 1921, in Evansville, to Thomas Calvin and Delia Mildred (Ezell) Groves. She was the youngest of nine children. Louise was married to Harold Edward Graening for 38 years, and they had two children, Edward Thomas and Pamela Jean. Throughout her marriage to Harold, they worked together to build an accounting business and an amusement ride company to entertain small children. Louise continued to operate the business after Harold passed. She cherished her family and friends and enjoyed traveling. Louise loved to bake pecan pies and each year she would bake more than 200 pies to give as gifts. She was a very active member of Zion United Church of Christ on Fifth Street in Evansville. Louise served as treasurer of the Women's Fellowship for 10 years. Louise was a Life Time Elder of the church as well as receiving the Heart of Gold Award for her service. She was past president of the No Ruz Grotto Ladies Auxiliary and served as treasurer for 40 years. Also, Mrs. Graening was a 50-year member of the Eastern Star. Louise belonged to the Past President's PTA group of Howard Roosa School. These ladies met once a month for lunch and to discuss school events and projects.

The family would like to express their gratitude to Dr. Hardesty, the Deaconess Hospital Staff and Patricia and Joseph of Specialty Home Health for their excellent care of Louise. Chanel, I want to thank you for your endless love and compassion during the past two years as you helped to care for your grandmother.

She is survived by a daughter, Pamela J. Creek (Don Paul) of Saint Petersburg, Fla.; son, Edward T. Graening (Nancy) of Perry, Ga.; stepdaughter, Carolyn (Ziegler) Patton of Evansville; five grandchildren, Gregg Graening (Debbie) of Louisville, Ky., Glen Graening (Lisa) of Chicago, Gayle Graening of Nashville, Tenn., Gennifer Graening Gamble (Alan) of Fitzgerald, Calif., and Chanel Creek Elmer (Josh) of Newburgh; stepgranddaughter, Angela Patton of Evansville; five great-grandchildren, Kati Graening of Lexington, Ky., Gessica and Luke Gamble of Fitzgerald, Calif., and Kelsie and Aaron Bergman of Newburgh; and niece, Betty Englebrecht of Evansville.

She was preceded in death by her parents, six brothers, two sisters, her first, Harold in 1973 and her second husband, Frederick Ziegler in 1998.

Funeral services 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2009, at Boone Funeral Home, East Chapel, 5330 Washington Avenue, Evansville, with Reverend Bob Walker officiating. Burial in Park Lawn Cemetery. Friends may call from 3 to 7 p.m. today, Dec. 28, 2009, at Boone Funeral Home, East Chapel.

Memorial contributions may be made to Zion United Church of Christ, 415 NW 5th St., Evansville, IN 47708. Condolences may be made to the family online at courierpress.com.