Velma Raasakka, age 98, of Rolla, ND passed away peacefully on Monday, February 10, 2025 at her home.

Velma Laverne (Kaleva) Raasakka was born on September 10, 1926 in Towner County, ND to Arvid and Mamie (Houvinen) Kaleva.  She was raised in Rolla and completed her education there as well, graduating from Rolla High School in 1942.  Velma was united in marriage to George Raasakka on June 17, 1947 at Mount View Lutheran Church.  Together they raised two children, Terry and Sandy.  They lived in Grand Forks, Fordville, and Larimore before settling in Rolla in 1954.  She enjoyed the outdoors golfing, art, a member of the Rolla Arts Council, and held a strong faith throughout the years, a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Rolla.  Velma loved to spend time with her family, entertaining family and friends with music and singing, which brought her much happiness.  She was a wonderful baker, sharing her gift, and was a people person, visiting with everyone she came in contact with.  Velma will be lovingly remembered and forever missed.

Velma is survived by her daughter, Sandy (Tom) Wilkie, of Loon Lake; three grandchildren, Shelley Wilkie of Aberdeen, SD, Chad (Lyrita) Wilkie of Mansfield, SD, and Jason (Jennifer) Wilkie of West Fargo; five great grandchildren, Jordan Wilkie of Aberdeen, SD, Kelsea (Gil) Schwab of Mina, SD, Hunter (Ehtha) Wilkie of Aberdeen, SD, Cole Wilkie of Mansfield, SD, and Isaac Wilkie of West Fargo; three great great grandchildren, Hartlyn Wilkie, Kennedy Schwab, and Baelyn Schwab, all of Aberdeen, SD; siblings, Larry Kaleva of Cut Bank, MT, Noma Reiser of Highlands Ranch, CO, and Doris Kaleva of Rolla; and many nieces and nephews.

Velma was preceded in death by her parents, Arvid and Mamie Kaleva, husband, George Raasakka, son, Terry Raasakka, sisters, Verna and Ellen, brothers, Ray, Edwin, Wilfred, Rupert, Rodney, and Reno, and great great granddaughter, Laramie Schwab.

A Funeral Service will be held at 10:00 AM on Monday, February 17, 2025 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Rolla, ND.  Pastor Scott Ramey officiating. Burial will be at Rolla City Cemetery, Rolla, ND in the spring.

Elick Funeral Home, Rolla, ND.