Veva Mae Williams was born in the middle of a blizzard on her parent's farm in Broken Bow, Nebraska on February 8, 1936. Her father Lavern “Cap”, farmed the fields around their home and her mother Viola, was the teacher at the community school until Veva was born. Her brother Danny, was born just seventeen months later in September of 1937 and sister Carol “Cookie”, was born in January 1944. In October of 1944, they moved from Nebraska to Grand Junction to join her aunt’s family and grandfather who were living there. The family moved to Fruita in March of 1951 and became active members of the community.
Veva met the love of her life at sixteen when husband-to-be Bob, was home on leave from the Navy during the Korean Conflict. The story goes that they met at a dance at the old Enterprise Hall where Bob and his friend flipped a coin to see who would dance with Veva’s friend. Bob lost the coin toss but Veva captured his heart. They ventured into a two year courtship consisting of hand written letters while Veva attended Fruita Union High School. Veva shared the comings and goings of life in Fruita while Bob shared his adventures in Japan, Hawaii and on the open sea. After she graduated from high school, she worked as a telephone switchboard operator in Fruita. Veva and Bob were married on December 11,1954 when Bob was once again home on leave before his tour of duty ended.
Their first daughter Susan, was born in November 1955 and they moved for a short time to Boulder where Bob studied at the University of Colorado. After moving back to Fruita, Veva gave birth to a son Wayne, but both she and the baby contracted spinal meningitis in the hospital and their precious baby passed three days after birth. Peggy, Debi and Jay followed in quick succession and five years after Jay was born, they welcomed Janette.
Veva was a long standing member of the Fruita United Methodist Church having joined when she was a young teen. She participated in the church’s women’s groups and served as a church volunteer, wearing many different hats over her years of dedicated service.
Veva was known for her delicious breads, jams and jellies and beautiful handmade quilts. She was a 4H leader and made many of her children’s clothes as they were growing up. She loved to bake pies and cookies, make homemade ice cream, garden, dance, sing in the church choir and was very generous with her time and talents with others. She could make a delicious meal on a shoestring budget and never did her family go hungry. She liked watching old movies, playing cards with friends, crocheted, knitted, and enjoyed needle point. Bowling was a favorite past time and she excelled at it.
Many of the family’s summer and fall weekends were spent camping and fishing on the Grand Mesa, Flat Tops, Pinion Mesa and Canyon Lands in Utah. Once the children were on their own, she and Bob took up backpacking and she followed her husband into the Colorado backcountry, exploring all the beauty and challenges the mountains graciously offered. They visited Hawaii twice and spent an unforgettable ten days touring Scotland. They also enjoyed going to the Highland Games in Estes Park, Colorado with dear family and friends.
While Veva spent many years at home raising her family, she also worked for Edie’s Bridal Shop in Grand Junction and Fruita State Bank. She and Bob opened a specialty print and copy center in Fruita in 1984 which served the Fruita community for many years. They have been engaged members of the town of Fruita for over eighty-five years, willingly stepping up and stepping into the various roles they played. Always at each other’s side, Veva and Bob would have celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary in December. Veva loved a good love story.
Veva and Bob attended as many of their children’s, grand children’s and great grand children’s varied sports and activities as possible. She was a fierce supporter of her family’s talents and did her very best to nurture their desires. Veva was as tough, yet as loving as they come and she embodied a strong will to live.
Veva deeply loved and was very proud of her family - and they of her. She will be greatly missed and forever in our hearts.
Veva Mae (Williams) Pollock of Fruita died September 13, 2022 at the age of 86. She is survived by the following loved ones and family members: her husband of almost 68 years, Robert (Bob) Pollock, children- Susan (Steve) McDaniel of Fruita, Peggy (Jim) Dennis of Denver, Debi Hedges of Port St. Lucie, Florida, Jay (fiancé Kellie) of Fort Collins, and Janette (Kelly) McClaskey of Grand Junction. Grand children: Justin (Jessica) McDaniel, Curtis (Aliene) McDaniel, Lene (Jason) Worrell, Taren (Ryan) Williams, Cory (Katie) Hedges, Kate (Brock) Schleper, Tyler (Marie) Pollock, Brianna (Tyler) Herman, Heather Pollock, Kolten McClaskey and Jake McClaskey. Veva also has 19 great grand children. Sister Carol *Cookie* (Jerry) Wilds and many loved nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents Lavern “Cap” and Viola Williams and brother Dan Williams.
Bob and Veva Pollock have lived at the corner of Mulberry Street and Ottley Avenue in Fruita for 64 years.
Veva’s Memorial Service will be held:
Sunday, September 18, 2022 @ 12:00 (noon)
Fruita United Methodist Church
405 E. Aspen Avenue
Fruita, Colorado 81521
An informal reception will be held in the church basement following the service.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution in Veva’s name to:
Hope West Hospice
3090 N. 12th St.
Grand Junction, CO 81506
Fruita United Methodist Church
405 E. Aspen Avenue
Fruita, CO 81521
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