Velda G Shallenberger Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Velda Gail Shallenberger, nicknamed “Muggie” as a child and “Booger” to her grandchildren, passed into the arms of Jesus on January 21, 2021, with her daughters Vicky McNamara and Jill Kaleohano by her side. Velda was born to Harry and Ruth Rhoades in Topeka, Kansas February 23, 1934. She had a sister, Wanda, five years older, and a brother, Wayne, three years younger. As a child she lived in Silver City, NM. Later, she moved to Soap Lake and graduated in 1951 from Ephrata High School. Velda met Ben Shallenberger (deceased) in Soap Lake and they married November 28, 1952. They lived in California with their two daughters until they settled in Ephrata in 1961. Though her employment at the Grant County Sheriff office is notable, her accomplishments in her career at The Bureau of Reclamation (in both the Safety and Lands Divisions) produced a National Safety award in water safety. Velda started a program in Grant County that encouraged children to learn how to swim, promoted safety around irrigation canals, and created the ‘Otto the Otter for Safe Water’ mascot. She was chosen to represent the Bureau of Reclamation in 1984 at the World’s Fair in New Orleans. Velda was a colorful masterpiece of a woman-child. She was a deep thinker and curious about life, able to talk quantum physics and scientific theories. She also loved to study and learn new things. Velda loved to pull a quick-witted rhyme out of thin air and she never missed a beat or an opportunity for a smutty and silly jest. Ever-resourceful, there wasn’t a project that she felt she couldn’t tackle — she could improvise for almost anything. Velda was a writer of short stories and poetry, and, of course, her autobiography Call Me Muggie. She was an accomplished oil painter, skilled seamstress, and animated actress. She delighted to take in the world, and traveled to Europe twice with her daughters. Velda loved gardening, especially caring for her beautiful roses. Some of Velda's greatest joy came from being with her family. She was a wonderful friend and compassionate listener, and had a significant relationship with each and every person in her life. Positive and encouraging, she was ever for the underdog. The worn, mile-long prayer list by her bedside was evidence of a devoted prayer warrior with faith and trust in Jesus. Her children and grandchildren found themselves on her doorstep when in need of prayer and a sure answer. Velda is survived by her two daughters, Vicky McNamara (Kelly Field, Ephrata) and Jill Kaleohano (Alton Kaleohano, Kailua-Kona). She is additionally survived by her 7 grandchildren: Jennifer Clark (Jason Clark), Caleb McNamara (Tammy Canfield), Sam Kaleohano (Jen Kaleohano), Makela Otis (Brook Otis), Tessa Dukes (Clay Dukes), Andrew Kaleohano, and Maile Wang (Micah Wang). She had 13 great-grandchildren: Teighan, McKaidan, Titan, Kai, Quinn, Sawyer, Rhys, Kepa, Evangeline, Norah, Benjamin, Kawai, and Gray. She was loved by her bonus family as well: Whitney Field and Ali Mantese (Antonio Mantese, and their children Tavone and Giada). Please express your thoughts and memories at www.nicolesfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the care of Nicoles Funeral Home of Ephrata.

Tributes

Velda G Shallenberger

March 23, 1934 - January 21, 2021