Velma Oakland of Red Lake Falls, MN passed away on Monday, January 12, 2026 in Pelican Rapids, MN

Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 AM on Saturday, January 24, 2026 at St. John Lutheran Church in Red Lake Falls, MN with Reverend Jeff Lytle officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Burial will be held at Bethania Cemetery, rural Perley, MN.

Velma LeAne Kuvaas was born December 29, 1939 in Moorhead, MN, the daughter of Alfred J. and Annie (Klusman) Kuvaas. She was baptized June 16, 1940 at Bethania Lutheran Church and confirmed at Bethania Lutheran Church in June, 1953. Velma graduated from Borup, MN High School and Mayville State University (1966). She received her Master’s Degree from North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND in 1969, in Elementary Education and Elementary Administration, receiving 50 more credits beyond her Master’s Degree.

Velma was united in marriage to Harold Arden Oakland in 1959 in Esmond North Dakota. Harold passed away in 1991.

Velma taught school 2 years in the Granville, ND School System, 2 years at Tappen, ND School System, and from 1964 until retirement in 1998 she taught school in the Red Lake Falls School System. She held every position in the Red Lake Falls Education Association Union, including head negotiator. From 1970-1973 Velma was Head Start Director in Red Lake Falls, 1976- 1978, Volleyball Coach for Lafayette Eagles, 1977-1983, Jr. High Basketball Coach for the Eagles, 1978-1998, Secretary of Kramer Brown University and 1983-1998, Treasurer of Kramer Brown University. Velma was Field Services Chairperson and Governmental Relations Chairperson for Kramer Brown University for several years and lobbied at the legislature for many years for educational issues. In 1988 she was elected to Housing-Redevelopment Authority of Red Lake Falls where she served as Vice Chairperson. Velma also enjoyed participating in many sports.

Velma was honored as Teacher of Excellence by the Minnesota Education Association in 1985, in 1990 she was founding president of the Red Lake County Economic Development Corporation, 1993, she received the Creative Leadership Award from the Minnesota Education Association, 1994-1998, she was appointed by MEA President, Judy Schaubach to serve on the IMPACE Board of Directors, representing the 7th Congressional District, Velma became involved with the D.F.L Party in 1984 and served as associate chairperson and secretary. In 1994 she was honored by the Red Lake County DFL. for outstanding DFL’-er and in 1990 Velma was elected secretary of S.D.I., which she held until 2008.

She also served on the 7th Congressional District Board of Directors for several years, and was delegate to the Minnesota Education Association for many years. Velma also served as County 7th DFL Congressional District and State Delegate for several years. In 1996 she was a delegate to the National Democratic Convention in Chicago, representing the Education Caucus. In the fall of 2000, she was elected a Red Lake County Commissioner. In 2005 Velma was honored to be inducted into the Northwest Minnesota Women’s Hall of Fame, which is located in Bemidji, MN. She was instrumental in stopping a hazardous waste site from locating in Red Lake County in 1990. She was a founding president of Red Lake County Economic Development Corporation in 1991.

She was a member of St. John Lutheran Church, Red Lake Falls, and in 1973 a Charter Member of Delta Kappa Gamma.

Velma is survived by sisters-in-law, Carol Kuvaas, Pelican Rapids, MN and Terry Kuvaas, Fargo, ND; nieces, Leslie McKinley and Claire Schembri; nephews, Duke, Dan(godson), Doug, Darin, Mike, Jay, Erik, and Nick Kuvaas; and many great nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents Alfred and Annie Kuvaas; husband, Harold; son, Terry Lee Oakland; sisters, Beatrice Kuvaas and Beverly Burruano and brothers, David Kuvaas and Allen Kuvaas.

Family condolences may be sent at www.johnsonfuneralservice.com