Velma Christine Kingston, age 96, of Anoka, MN, died Wednesday, February 7, 2024 at the VOA Homestead of Anoka, with her daughter, Christine, by her side.

Velma was born June 17, 1927 in North Redwood Falls, MN, the daughter of Charles and Ruby Brandt. After graduation from Redwood Falls High School in 1945, Velma enrolled in the Fairview Hospital School of Nursing in Minneapolis, MN. She graduated as an RN in 1948 and began working at the Minneapolis Veterans Hospital, living in the on-campus nurses' residence. Velma met her future husband Tom while he was visiting a friend at the VA Hospital. They were married in Minneapolis at the Fort Snelling Chapel on June 11, 1950 and soon began a family of their own.

In addition to keeping in close contact with her parents, her brothers and their families, Velma made lifelong friendships by staying in touch with the many friends she made in high school, nurses training, the neighborhood mothers and the extensive church communities of First Lutheran Church of Columbia Heights and Zion Lutheran Church of Anoka.

Her family will remember Velma as a very loving spouse and mother, who always made sure the cookie jar was full. Besides nurturing her family, Velma enjoyed many crafts including baking, sewing, knitting, needlework and basketry. She enjoyed decades of summer holidays at their Pokegama Lake cabin with her extended family and friends. Velma retired in 1988 from a fulfilling career in nursing. She loved traveling the world with Tom and family while keeping meticulous travel journals and photo albums. Velma and Tom also enjoyed spending many winters in Arizona.

She will be deeply missed by all of us.

Preceded in death by her loving husband Tom, her parents, Charles and Ruby Brandt, and her siblings Percy, Beryl, and an infant  brother. Survived by sons Thomas (Patricia) Kingston of Fergus Falls, MN, William (Nancy) Kingston of Ramsey, MN, daughters Kathleen Kingston (Scott Kisling) of Salt Lake City, UT, Christine Kingston and her daughter Sarah of Bloomington, MN, along with many nieces and nephews.

A Funeral Service was held on Tuesday, February 20, 2024 at Zion Lutheran Church in Anoka. Private interment at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.

Memorial donations preferred to: Zion Lutheran Church, 1601 4th Avenue, Anoka, MN 55303. Phone: (763) 421-4656