Velora Boff Halgren

Velora Boff Halgren, daughter of Emilio and Valentina Boff was born October 28, 1925 in Detroit, Michigan. On January 18, 2023 she died at home, cared for by hospice and surrounded by loving family. Velora was kind, generous, thoughtful, a good neighbor, and a caring friend to all. Above all else, she loved her family, her many dear friends, and sharing her life and evening martini with Ralph. She had boundless energy and a wonderful sense of humor. Velora voted in every election. She attended Catholic Mass every Sunday. She danced with everyone at every wedding. She learned to play tennis at 50 and continued playing until she was 92. She sewed, knitted and needlepointed beautiful projects until the day she died. Velora was 17 when the United States entered World War II. Velora served at the War Production Board and as a Red Cross Nurse’s Aide caring for wounded soldiers at Detroit Receiving Hospital. She knitted socks for soldiers and wrote to at least 20 soldiers weekly, corresponding with over 100 during the war. In 1949 Velora married Ralph. They were happily married for 73 years. Together they raised two children, ran three small businesses, took care of aging parents, and then traveled the world. In 1960 Ralph and Velora moved from Detroit to Clearwater Beach, Florida. After selling Ralph’s gas station in Detroit, they purchased the Carousel Motel on Clearwater Beach and ran it for 25 years. They remained Clearwater Beach residents until 2019 when they moved to Louisville, CO to be closer to their daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren. Velora and Ralph were honored at the 2022 Bolder Boulder Memorial Day Celebration. To watch their television interview, use this link: https://www.denver7.com/sports/local-sports/bolder-boulder/end-of-wwii-was-beginning-of-72-years-of-marriage Velora requested a family memorial mass at St. Louis Catholic Church in Louisville. She asked that her ashes eventually be scattered with Ralph’s in three places special to them: the Gulf of Mexico off Clearwater Beach, Boulder, Colorado, and Long Lake, Traverse City, Michigan. Velora is survived by her husband Ralph, children Robert and Karen, son-in-law Robert, granddaughters Rachel and Molly, 14 nieces, nephews, and spouses, 21 great nieces, nephews, and spouses, eight great-great nieces and nephews, and countless tennis friends, church friends, and neighbors. Velora, Val, Mom, Nai Nai, Zia Velora, Aunt Val, Mrs. Halgren, we all miss you. We feel your presence with us always.