Roxie R. Veleke, 95, of Warm Beach, passed away as a result of an earlier stroke and its complications on February 1, 2014. At her passing she was surrounded by family, friends and neighbors.

Roxie was born on August 3, 1918 to Anton Ralph and LouHannah Barnes Ralph at her maternal grandparent's home in Spokane, WA. She attended Regal School in the Hillyard neighborhood of Spokane and then graduated with honors from John R. Rogers High School in 1936.

When she was eight years old, Roxie became a violin pupil of Margaret Anderson and was privileged with the opportunity to participate in music recitals, concerts and youth symphonies throughout her school years. Following high school graduation, Roxie became a member of the Spokane Civic Symphony with George Poinar as conductor.

On March 23, 1940, she married Arthur "Bud" Veleke who served with the Washington State Patrol and they lived in Prosser, WA. At the start of WWII and Bud's reassignment, they moved to Seattle and she became a civilian clerk stenographer for the U.S. Navy.

Following the war, there were several places called "home" for Bud and Roxie – Olympia, Lynden, Maple Valley and eventually, for Roxie alone, Warm Beach. At each new location she enjoyed new friendships, explored new interests in weaving and spinning, continued to perform in musical duets and recitals, and worshipped at the Episcopal churches near to where she lived. Roxie was also a member of the PEO Sisterhood for over 50 years.

Roxie and Bud were married for forty years, until Bud's death in 1980. They were the parents of Kevin E. Veleke (Dianna), Kennewick; Arlen G. Veleke (Pat), Olympia; and Vonda Veleke Buse (Jon), Warm Beach. Roxie so enjoyed her role as "grandmother" and more recently, as "great-grandmother". Her grandchildren are – BreAnna Buse Traver (Andrew); Brandon Veleke; Derek Buse (Erika); Caleb Buse; Morgan Veleke; and Jeron Veleke, and her great-grandchild is Layla Faye Buse.

Her three brothers – Raleigh Ralph, Walter Ralph, Charles Ralph, and two sisters – Lena Ralph Weaver and Della Ralph Webb preceded Roxie in death. Roxie is now buried in Lynden at the Monumento Cemetery and requested that remembrances be made to the Shriners Children Hospitals (support.shrinershospitals.org) and/or the building fund for St. Aidan's Episcopal Church (saintaidanschurch@hotmail.com).

Please join Roxie's family and the church members of St. Aidan's Episcopal Church for a memorial service and reception on Saturday, February 22, 2014 at 2:00 pm – 1318 East SR 532 Camano Island, WA 98282 – 360 629-3969.