Velma "Jo" Baechler, 81, longtime area resident, died Thursday, April 27, 2017, at her home in Wiggins.

She was born March 31, 1936 in Parkersburg, West Virginia to Clarence and Bernice (Righter) Leach.

Jo married Alan Baechler on July 29, 1957 in Fort Collins.

In her earlier years she worked as a registered nurse.

Velma enjoyed sewing, quilting, crafting, tending to her garden, and traveling. She had a real soft spot in her heart for all her pets.

Survivors include her children, Melissa Poelma (John) of Las Vegas, Nevada, Michael Baechler (Julia) of Tracy, California, Teresa Nunes (Richard) of Vista, California, Christine Sears (Tom) of Wiggins, and Patricia Baechler (Andy Carr) of Denver, eleven grandchildren, and nine great grandchildren.

Jo was preceded in death by her husband, Alan, two brothers, Edwin Leach and Gerald Leach, one sister, Helen Henderson, and her parents.

Funeral Services will be Monday, May 1, 2017 at 10:30 am at the Heer Mortuary Chapel in Fort Morgan. Interment will follow in Memory Gardens.

Memorial Gifts may be given in her name to the local Humane Society.