Velma Mary McDaniels

Velma Mary McDaniels, nee Szabo-Laursen, 92, passed peacefully to the Lord on July 26, 2009 at her home in Carson City.

She was born on March 15, 1917 in Detroit, Mich., and moved to Southern California as a child where she was raised, later graduating from Banning High School in Wilmington, Calif.

She married Walter Edward McDaniels in 1938 and raised two children, Carl Edward McDaniels and Carrol Mae Marren, nee McDaniels. She moved to the Carson City area in the early 1980s.

Velma was preceded in death by her husband Walter (1987) and her daughter Carrol (2006). She is survived by a sister, her son, five grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.

Velma was a loving mother who devoted her life to her husband and raising her children. She loved animals and throughout her life was surrounded by her pets. Velma raised collie dogs as a breeder, and later pursued her interest in exotic birds with several national awards for first breedings of several species in the United States.

In lieu of a public ceremony there will be a private family gathering to fulfill her last wishes to celebrate her passing as she directed.