Velma H. Detmer

Born Aug. 23, 1914, in Saline County, Missouri

Died Thursday, February 15, 2007, and buried in Arrow Rock Cemetary

Her daughter Joyce Nester

Most of these pictures were taken February 18, 2007. There are a few older pictures mixed in, showing earlier generations in the same spot. We wanted photos of Danielle and Raeleigh in Arrow Rock.

And eldest grandson, Neal Nester

The Arrow Rock Cemetary, in rural Missouri, flanked by farmland and harvested cornstalks.

Otto was Velma's older brother.

This knotty old tree has surely been here as long, or longer than some of the aging headstones.

Great Granddaughters Danielle and Raeleigh Nester, patiently and impatiently wait in the car. Mommy shot the picture of Raeleigh capturing the tears, so when she gets bigger and asks "where am I", we can say, there you were waiting in the car.

February 16, 2007 issue of the Marshall Democrat-News.

Velma at the farm in 1967 with her dog "Lady".

A mile or so up the road and around the corner is the farm that Joyce grew up on. The couple that own the farmhouse now were at the funeral. She was a highschool friend of Joyce's and told Neal about how she used to bunkover at Joyce's at the farmhouse. She had fond memories of time spent at the farm which made it extra special when she was able to purchase it from Velma in 1974. The old farmhouse has only been lived in by three families, all of whom call it home.

They were nice enough to let us take pictures the day after the funeral. Who knows when we'll ever make it back that way.

One more pic on the way, of Jack & Joyce on the front porch headed to their honeymoon...

Grandma D holding Daddy in front of the same old barn in 1972. He was younger than Raeleigh is now. Also pictured are Velma's mother, Amanda Hinnah, Joyce and Neal's older sister Brenda.

The owner said they were going to start tearing down the old barn this year.

It was dinner time for the cows when we were about to leave. This cow stared us down, apparently thinking we needed to be moving on so he could eat. They were all very loud and hungry and followed farmer "dad" to the hay.

Le't's not forget Raeleigh. It was naptime for her while Daddy and Danielle peered in the church windows. This is the church where Joyce and Jack got married.

Jack and Joyce Nester, just married, August 1963.

Arrow Rock is a tiny little town on the Missouri river, East of Kansas City. It's claim to fame is that Tom Sawyer was filmed there.  Above is the famous "whitewashed fence" scene. And, to the right is the "jailhouse" where Injun Joe escaped out the window.

I think it was the 1973 musical adaptation starring Johnny Whitaker as Tom Sawyer, a young Jodie Foster as Becky Thatcher and Jeff East as Huckelberry Finn.