Obituary of William Andrew Velte

In memory of a man who always led with his generous, loving heart. Beloved husband, dad, and grandpa, William Andrew Velte peacefully passed away in his sleep at Abbott- NW hospital on 4/25/2024. He was 78 years old.

Bill is survived by his wife, Mary Lee Blomgren, sons Tony Velte (Anne Marie) of Woodbury, Toby Velte (Sandra) of Lake Elmo, and Tully Velte (Jenny) of Oakland, CA, he shared with his former wife, Joyce Hennesy; his step-children Ben Frederiksen of Indianapolis and Emily Zehrer (Mike) of Wayzata, his sister, Karen Thoreson, Dominguez Hills, CA, and his much-loved grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents Rev. Willis and Harriet Velte and his first wife, Donna Mae Arneson Velte.

Bill was born 8/22/1945 in Kansas City, MO. As the son of a preacher man, Bill got used to moving wherever his dad was assigned. He developed a love for church basement suppers, hot dish and Dr. Pepper. His shy smile and tendency to avoid center stage, were part of the expectation to be on his best behavior. Once out of the public eye, biking at speed down the hills in Mankato gave him the freedom he longed for and led to his life-long love of cars and road trips.

In 1957, the family moved to NE Mpls. His 1st job at age 15, was working after school at a local grocery store, where everyone living NE, seemed to know Bill. He was considered “Cool”. He enjoyed writing clever pieces. Rather than be interviewed for maintaining a straight “A” average, he wrote his own satirical interview for the school paper. He graduated from Edison HS in 1963.

He attended the University of MN. To support his education, he donned a hairnet and made Bugles, a snack developed by General Mills in the test kitchens in Golden Valley in 1964. With classes by day, he worked as a nighttime janitor at a local hospital.

With a thirst for knowledge, Bill changed his major 11 times. Every subject interested him and he immersed himself in each field of study. Deciding on just one major was difficult.

Bill’s college career was interrupted when he got drafted into the Army on 4/1/1968. He was selected for Intelligence Security. Before his orders were revealed, he had to agree to a Hazardous Duty assignment. He was stationed in TX as part of a unit of Military Police guarding nuclear warheads. His army classification was Specialist 5. At Fort Hood, Bill was assigned as secretary to the base commander who was close friends with General Westmoreland. Bill handled the personal correspondence between the two men, which included confidential material concerning the conflict in Vietnam.

Completing his service, he was honorably discharged on 3/1/1970. He and his wife Donna returned to Mpls. where he resumed his college studies at the U of M. He graduated with a BA in 6/13/70 in Sociology with a special interest in Delinquency Control.

In Sept. of 1970, Bill began what would become a 47-year career at Hennepin County Human Services. Helping children, especially adolescents was always one of Bill’s goals. Although his parents had hoped he would become a 3rd generation minister, Bill considered social work as his form of ministry. He worked as a Sr. Social Worker in Family Services. When a home- based program was started, Bill had his dream job. With a caseload of 10 adolescents, he was able to work with families and teens. His calm, quiet presence, and ability to truly listen, was a recipe for success. It didn’t hurt that he also drove a vintage convertible. Kids trusted this “cool” adult. It was much easier for them to talk about their problems while riding along in a car rather than during a face-to-face discussion.

In 1990, Bill became a Unit Supervisor in the Development Disabilities Division. With his great empathy, quick mind, and experienced peers and staff he learned the intricacies of a whole new set of policies and client needs. His style of supervising was one of collaboration. He encouraged staff to share their knowledge, resources, and work on problem cases together as a team. This created great camaraderie, friendship and mutual respect. Bill retired 2/10/2017.

One of Bill’s favorite assignments was a collaborative project with Northwestern Airline reservationists to host a holiday party for individuals with intellectual challenges. Months of planning resulted in a huge gathering at the MOA, with entertainment, Viking cheerleaders and players, rides at Camp Snoopy, lunch with their caregiver and social worker, singing, wheelchair dancing, and presents purchased by NWA. The smiles were huge as the guests opened what was perhaps their only gift of the season.

When his oldest sons wanted to play soccer and had no coach, Bill volunteered to fill that role. It was one he'd continue in some capacity for around 20 years. He initially started coaching for the neighborhood parks, the St. Paul Blackhawks, as the founding coach for the program at St. Mark's School. Later when a need arose for a coach for a newly formed girls Mpls. United team, Bill volunteered again so that Emily could play soccer. The Mischief team and loyal parent group aptly called the Mischief Makers was formed. The Mischief went on to win the state tournament in 1997.

He was a respected figure to all his teams. Throughout his tenures there were constant themes; his dedication, encouragement, mentorship, sportsmanship, inclusiveness, youthfulness, sense of adventure, generosity, and positivity to name a few. And there were his iconic Dodge vans which carried hundreds of kids tens of thousands of miles over the years.

Bill loved being a coach. He understood and exemplified coaching for what it truly is; guiding people to find the highest level of success they can, the tools to navigate failure and accomplishment, and creating an environment to form bonds with those around you to achieve a greater good.

But most important of all, there was the community that he shepherded around the game. One which created deep bonds that reached far beyond the field. Every cohort he coached has made lifelong friends that remain to this day.

The involvement and respect Bill earned as a coach had many of his former players regard him as a sort of second father.

Grandchildren were the delight of Bill’s life. Whether they knew him as Grandpa, G-Bill, or Pop Pop, he loved spending time with them. Happy to share in their varied interests from math contests to board games or cheering on their lacrosse, football and soccer games, Bill was interested in whatever they liked. Just as he loved hearing their ideas. He was extremely proud of watching them grow up and become such kind, interesting, people.

Bill was a patron of the arts by the age of 18. When the Guthrie theater first opened in 1963, Bill scraped together his earnings to buy a season ticket. Sharing a love of theater and dance with Mary Lee, their calendars were filled enjoying the bounty of talented artists in the Twin Cities. Bill could not pass a busker on the street without slipping a few dollars in their guitar case. No doubt recalling his own days performing in some coffee houses and dreams of youth.

He was a generous man with his time, his attention, his funds, & his interest in people and their lives. He supported many causes that were important to him including the environment, programs for Indigenous youth, women’s rights, and social justice.

Traveling exhilarated Bill. His family trip to Ireland increased his fascination with everything Irish. He was thrilled to get behind the wheel and take road trips whether he was on Route 66 or taking a backroad and making random turns to see where it led. He embraced the concept of taking the road less traveled.

He joined Mary Lee’s quest to visit all the continental National Parks, with only 2 remaining. He developed a love for camping, hiking mountains in New Zealand and appreciating the natural world.

At home, he loved to garden. Roses were his favorite. His climbing roses reached the 2nd story taking over the side of the house. He loved having fresh flowers in the house all year long.

In lieu of flowers, Bill asked that people donate to the Hennepin County Gift Fund, a project near and dear to his heart. The Special Gift Fund continues to provide challenged individuals with holiday gifts and items on a one-time basis to enhance their lives. Donations may be made in memory of William Velte to: Hennepin County, HSPH-Special Gift Fund, PO Box 1520, Mpls., MN 55440-1520

Funeral will be held on Saturday June 8, at 11 AM with visitation 1 hr. prior at St. Joan of Arc Church, 4537 3rd Ave. S., Mpls. Luncheon to follow the service. A private interment at Fort Snelling National Cemetery will be held on June 10th.