Velna Black Blood passed away in the early evening on October 22, 2015, from complications of multiple myeloma. She was surrounded by her loving family at her home in Riverton, Utah. At last she is mercifully freed from the debilitating pain she has suffered so courageously for so long.
Velna was born May 24, 1933, in Cowley, Wyoming, to Volney E. and Pearl S. Black. Her family moved to Laramie, Wyoming, when her dad found employment with the Union Pacific Railroad. Velna was raised in Laramie where she graduated from Laramie High School as an honor student in 1951.
In January of 1950, Velna went on a blind date with a 17-year-old newly-arrived student at the University of Wyoming named Dwight Blood, whom she married in the Salt Lake LDS Temple nearly three years later on December 18, 1952. She and Dwight enjoyed nearly 63 years of marriage.
Thus began a lifetime adventure as Velna accompanied and supported her husband while he completed his education at the University of Wyoming and then sought advanced degrees at Montana State and the University of Michigan. As Dwight pursued his career, Velna, Dwight, and children embarked on an adventure that took them to Cheyenne, Wyoming; Washington, D.C.; State College, Pennsylvania; Laramie, Wyoming; Fort Collins, Colorado; and Provo/Orem, Utah. Following Dwight's retirement from Brigham Young University, Velna and Dwight split their time between Riverton and St. George, Utah.
Velna diligently pursued her own education, earning a bachelor's degree in elementary education from the University of Wyoming in 1968. In addition to raising five children, Velna was a tireless and creative worker. She opened her own preschool while in Laramie, where she also managed several dozen student apartments. She purchased and operated a gift and book store in Fort Collins that became Moby Book Shop. She worked at ZCMI department store when they moved to Utah, and she later became a licensed realtor.
Velna's greatest joy and proudest accomplishment was her family, which she kept organized and together through numerous family reunions, cards, letters, and special events. Velna was the daughter of a railroader and of a kind and gentle mother and the granddaughter of Mormon pioneers. She never wavered in her lifetime faith and imparted this strength to her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and others through her sweet, patient, loving, and quiet example. Velna loved the beauties of life, nature, flowers, music, reading, and learning (and sports). Although she suffered from great pain during her last years, she endured silently with enormous courage, faith and determination.
Velna is survived by her husband, Dwight, by her five children: Russell (Susan), Ronald (Lani), James (Sharman), Carolyn (Tom), and Kim (Cliff). She is survived by her sisters Beth Black and Evetta Averett, her brother Franklin, 19 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her older sister Joyce and by her parents.
The family expresses its deep appreciation to the Huntsman Cancer doctors and nurses, to Hearts for Hospice, and First Choice Home Care for their compassionate care. Appreciation is extended to loving neighbors, friends, and church leaders who have supported our family in so many ways during our deep trial.
Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, October 28, 2015, at 2 p.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 12110 South 1300 West, Riverton, Utah, with a viewing from 12:30-1:30 p.m. prior to the services.
