Velva Notter
Velva Henrietta Notter died at her home on March 22, 2021, at the well-lived age of 94. She was born Aug. 9, 1926, in Claremont, Minnesota, to William and Ruth Meyer.
Velva graduated from Sussex High School in New Jersey and continued her education at New Jersey College of Agriculture-Rutgers. Her degree in dairy and animal husbandry in 1948 was the first ever awarded to a woman at that institution.
It was there that she met William “Bill” Notter Jr. They were married in 1949 into a union that lasted over 60 years until he preceded her in death in 2011. The couple was blessed with three children: Bill III, Linda and Jennifer.
Velva had an equal and active role in their lives as Brown Swiss breeders and dairy farmers. She raised their children, milked cows, and took on leadership roles in dairy and breed associations in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York and ... finally ... Colorado.
She was the secretary-treasurer of the Rocky Mountain Brown Swiss Association for nearly 40 years — retiring at 90. She was a founding and integral member of the National Brown Swiss Historical Society, and she and Bill received the National Brown Swiss Association’s Master Breeder Award in 2013.
Velva was outgoing, sharp, passionate about life and quick to use her talents to help others. She prized education, achievement and doing the best you can with what you have. She loved her family and raised them to be strong, resilient and hardworking individuals. She was an avid reader, loved to travel, and enjoyed making family and friends feel special with cards, notes and gifts. Velva never knew a stranger and loved sharing her stories and wisdom.
Velva’s legacy will be held in the hearts of her family and many friends: children, Bill Notter III and wife Pat of Holyoke, Linda Kirchner of Schoharie, New York, and Jennifer Kumm and husband Marlin of Holyoke; grandchildren, Bill IV and wife Tara of Richmond, Virginia, Christopher and wife Haley of Stratton, Julie Peckham and husband Tony of Brush, Stephen and wife Brandi of Stratton, and Morganne Kumm of Sterling; and great-grandchildren, Cyler Notter, Lily Notter, McKenna Notter, Hanna Notter, Elizabeth Peckham, Nolan Notter, Corbin Notter and Khloe Notter.
The memorial service was held March 29 at First United Methodist Church in Holyoke, with inurnment at Holyoke Cemetery. The service was livestreamed on Baucke Funeral Home & Monuments’ Facebook page.
Baucke Funeral Home directed the service.