Francis J. Veltman obituary: Francis J. Veltman's Obituary, Denver

In Memory Of
Francis J. Veltman
1923 - 2014

Obituary photo of Francis J. Veltman, Denver-CO
Obituary photo of Francis J. Veltman, Denver-CO

In Memory Of
Francis J. Veltman
1923 - 2014

Francis J. Veltman, 91, of Lakewood, passed away October 16, 2014.

He was born March 19, 1923 in Bavaria, Kansas, the son of Arnold and Alice (Habiger) Veltman. He was a graduate of Talmage High School. He attended the University of Denver. On April 17, 1948 he married Edythe Blaesi, of Abilene, Kansas.

Francis is survived by his children, Sandy Thornton, Mark (Chris Oliver) Veltman, Tina (Jim) Enssle; seven grandchildren, Tanya (Don) Gabrick, Bret (Tiffany) Gunther, Brian (Mary Madigan) Veltman, Sarah (Gary) Sanchez, Sean Veltman, Matt Enssle, Kristen (Orion Kostival) Enssle; six great-grandchildren, Ashley Gallegos, Jake Gabrick, Rachel Gunther, Emery Gunther, Crosby Gunther, and McKinsey Sanchez. He is preceded in death by his wife, Edythe E. Veltman; father, Arnold J. Veltman; mother, Alice Veltman; son-in-law, Jim Thornton; brothers and sisters, Margaret Jennings, Bernard Veltman, Lucille Nelson, Elizabeth Dinkle, and Bobby Veltman.

Six Words to Describe Frank:

Patriotic
Relentless
Integrity
Caring
Honest
Strong

Brief Biography

Born: He was born March 19, 1923 in Bavaria, Kansas, the son of Arnold and Alice (Habiger) Veltman; one of six children. Growing up he spent the majority of his time working on the family’s 340 acre farm with his father. His primary duties on the farm included plowing, planting, cultivating & harvesting crops. He also operated tractors, combines, balers and helped raise livestock. He was a graduate of Talmage High School in 1941.

(6) Siblings – Margaret, Bernard, Lucille, Liz, Bobby – Frank was the last surviving sibling

On August 3, 1944 he enlisted in the US Army where he accepted the duties of private, corporal & Staff Sgt, respectively; with his military specialty being a quartermaster supply technician while holding a combat infantry badge as part of the (38th) infantry division. After completing his basic training he was deployed into combat near Luzon in the Phillipines. On May 29, 1945, while taking the point, he was wounded by sniper gunfire on Mt. Purro and was forced to proceed on a 3 mile trek out of the rough terrain to an ally safety zone. He would eventually be discharged in October of 1946.

As a Staff Sergeant in WW II, he was awarded a Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, Philippine Liberation Ribbon, Bronze Star and WW II Victory Medal.

After completion of his service he married Edythe Blaesi, of Abilene, Kansas on April 17, 1948. He moved to Colorado shortly thereafter where he attended the University of Denver. Frank and Edythe would have their first child Sandy, in March 1949, second, Mark in January 1954, Third, Tina in May 1956.

In the early 1950’s he opened the Micro-Drive In on East Colfax. In 1954 he would move the business to west Colfax and rename it the Lakewood Drive In. In 1964 he changed the business from a Drive In to a Steak House which was named 9400 Steak House. He continued to serve some of the best steaks around until he sold the business in 1977.

Early in 1960 he purchased land at 9500 West Colfax, adjacent to the Steak House where he would build a bar named the Rally Lounge. To this date, he owns the bar which is currently named Guido’s Nickel.

Frank retired from full time work in the mid 1980’s, while living off of the residuals from his bar and enjoying time with his family and their activities. Over the last year I know he really enjoyed having McKinsey babysit him and Mark.

(7) Grandchildren – (2) Tanya, Bret (3) Brian, Sarah, Sean (2) Matt, Kristen
(6) Great Grandchildren – Ashley, Jake, Rachel, Emery, Crosby, McKinsey

Enjoyment

-Organizations: American Legion (commander and oldest standing member), VFW, and Knights of Columbus.

- Enjoyed going out to eat. For many years it was Dino’s, Denny’s and Chinese. Later he graduated to McDonalds where he found a home. McDonald’s burrito and free senior coffee with the geezers – what could be better?
Hard to believe after serving hand cut steaks and ribeye steak sandwiches for years.

Eating: Never concerned about his diet
BBQ and any item on the grill.
Ice Cream-Mint Chocolate Chip & Jello & Pie
Chocolate Milk
Hard Candy, Chocolate
Mom’s chocolate sheet cake
Cheetos
Oreos
Pepsi (a family staple)
An occasional beer
-Sitting in the lawn chair outside people watching in the neighborhood

-Handicap Pass – Took full advantage of this!

-Dancing to Big Band and Country when he was younger…and even doing some of that at granddaughter Sarah’s wedding (Chubby Checker – The Twist)

-A good argument over politics or business …only guy I know who religiously watched Fox News (Bill O’Reilly) but claimed he voted with the confused party…hey, nobody’s perfect!

-History Channel

-Projects around the house: Cutting down trees, Sprinkler Systems, Gutters, Toilets, Hot water heaters, woodwork, fixing cars…pretty much anything he could get his hands on! (Especially telling people how to do it!) – Must have come from the farm life

Regularly attended grandchildren’s activities:
Brian, Matt and Sean’s baseball games
Baseball games of Sean and Matt (he really enjoyed watching us pitch) as we used to throw the ball with him in his yard and driveway when we were younger.

He enjoyed watching his granddaughter Sarah at dance; Kristen figure skating and gymnastics.

-Always helping people out, especially his family!

He really enjoyed conversation over a cup of coffee (it had to have a lot of sugar)…and listening to my stories of catching rattlesnakes on the golf course.

Some Dislikes

- Denver Broncos (b/c it took away so much of his business on Sundays when he ran the steakhouse – he was a businessman).

- Always preferred a good conversation and company with family and friends versus material items and gifts

- He did not like to travel other than to family reunions in Kansas. Had enough travel with the WWII

- Lazy people – he had a strong work ethic.

Summary of Frank’s Life:

I think he enjoyed and recognized the important things in life -

Friends and Family
Good Food (at times not too good, but he gave it try)
The rewards of hard work
Music

A few phrases he used often:

“Proof is in the Pudding”

“No Kidding”

“Let’s go”

“Give em Hell!”


He was a wonderful Dad, Grandfather and friend - a really good guy!

To share a memory of Francis or leave a special condolence message for his family, please click the Share Memories button above.
Francis J. Veltman, 91, of Lakewood, passed away October 16, 2014.

He was born March 19, 1923 in Bavaria, Kansas, the son of Arnold and Alice (Habiger) Veltman. He was a graduate of Talmage High School. He attended the University of Denver. On April 17, 1948 he married Edythe Blaesi, of Abilene, Kansas.

Francis is survived by his children, Sandy Thornton, Mark (Chris Oliver) Veltman, Tina (Jim) Enssle; seven grandchildren, Tanya (Don) Gabrick, Bret (Tiffany) Gunther, Brian (Mary Madigan) Veltman, Sarah (Gary) Sanchez, Sean Veltman, Matt Enssle, Kristen (Orion Kostival) Enssle; six great-grandchildren, Ashley Gallegos, Jake Gabrick, Rachel Gunther, Emery Gunther, Crosby Gunther, and McKinsey Sanchez. He is preceded in death by his wife, Edythe E. Veltman; father, Arnold J. Veltman; mother, Alice Veltman; son-in-law, Jim Thornton; brothers and sisters, Margaret Jennings, Bernard Veltman, Lucille Nelson, Elizabeth Dinkle, and Bobby Veltman.

Six Words to Describe Frank:

Patriotic
Relentless
Integrity
Caring
Honest
Strong

Brief Biography

Born: He was born March 19, 1923 in Bavaria, Kansas, the son of Arnold and Alice (Habiger) Veltman; one of six children. Growing up he spent the majority of his time working on the family’s 340 acre farm with his father. His primary duties on the farm included plowing, planting, cultivating & harvesting crops. He also operated tractors, combines, balers and helped raise livestock. He was a graduate of Talmage High School in 1941.

(6) Siblings – Margaret, Bernard, Lucille, Liz, Bobby – Frank was the last surviving sibling

On August 3, 1944 he enlisted in the US Army where he accepted the duties of private, corporal & Staff Sgt, respectively; with his military specialty being a quartermaster supply technician while holding a combat infantry badge as part of the (38th) infantry division. After completing his basic training he was deployed into combat near Luzon in the Phillipines. On May 29, 1945, while taking the point, he was wounded by sniper gunfire on Mt. Purro and was forced to proceed on a 3 mile trek out of the rough terrain to an ally safety zone. He would eventually be discharged in October of 1946.

As a Staff Sergeant in WW II, he was awarded a Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, Philippine Liberation Ribbon, Bronze Star and WW II Victory Medal.

After completion of his service he married Edythe Blaesi, of Abilene, Kansas on April 17, 1948. He moved to Colorado shortly thereafter where he attended the University of Denver. Frank and Edythe would have their first child Sandy, in March 1949, second, Mark in January 1954, Third, Tina in May 1956.

In the early 1950’s he opened the Micro-Drive In on East Colfax. In 1954 he would move the business to west Colfax and rename it the Lakewood Drive In. In 1964 he changed the business from a Drive In to a Steak House which was named 9400 Steak House. He continued to serve some of the best steaks around until he sold the business in 1977.

Early in 1960 he purchased land at 9500 West Colfax, adjacent to the Steak House where he would build a bar named the Rally Lounge. To this date, he owns the bar which is currently named Guido’s Nickel.

Frank retired from full time work in the mid 1980’s, while living off of the residuals from his bar and enjoying time with his family and their activities. Over the last year I know he really enjoyed having McKinsey babysit him and Mark.

(7) Grandchildren – (2) Tanya, Bret (3) Brian, Sarah, Sean (2) Matt, Kristen
(6) Great Grandchildren – Ashley, Jake, Rachel, Emery, Crosby, McKinsey

Enjoyment

-Organizations: American Legion (commander and oldest standing member), VFW, and Knights of Columbus.

- Enjoyed going out to eat. For many years it was Dino’s, Denny’s and Chinese. Later he graduated to McDonalds where he found a home. McDonald’s burrito and free senior coffee with the geezers – what could be better?
Hard to believe after serving hand cut steaks and ribeye steak sandwiches for years.

Eating: Never concerned about his diet
BBQ and any item on the grill.
Ice Cream-Mint Chocolate Chip & Jello & Pie
Chocolate Milk
Hard Candy, Chocolate
Mom’s chocolate sheet cake
Cheetos
Oreos
Pepsi (a family staple)
An occasional beer
-Sitting in the lawn chair outside people watching in the neighborhood

-Handicap Pass – Took full advantage of this!

-Dancing to Big Band and Country when he was younger…and even doing some of that at granddaughter Sarah’s wedding (Chubby Checker – The Twist)

-A good argument over politics or business …only guy I know who religiously watched Fox News (Bill O’Reilly) but claimed he voted with the confused party…hey, nobody’s perfect!

-History Channel

-Projects around the house: Cutting down trees, Sprinkler Systems, Gutters, Toilets, Hot water heaters, woodwork, fixing cars…pretty much anything he could get his hands on! (Especially telling people how to do it!) – Must have come from the farm life

Regularly attended grandchildren’s activities:
Brian, Matt and Sean’s baseball games
Baseball games of Sean and Matt (he really enjoyed watching us pitch) as we used to throw the ball with him in his yard and driveway when we were younger.

He enjoyed watching his granddaughter Sarah at dance; Kristen figure skating and gymnastics.

-Always helping people out, especially his family!

He really enjoyed conversation over a cup of coffee (it had to have a lot of sugar)…and listening to my stories of catching rattlesnakes on the golf course.

Some Dislikes

- Denver Broncos (b/c it took away so much of his business on Sundays when he ran the steakhouse – he was a businessman).

- Always preferred a good conversation and company with family and friends versus material items and gifts

- He did not like to travel other than to family reunions in Kansas. Had enough travel with the WWII

- Lazy people – he had a strong work ethic.

Summary of Frank’s Life:

I think he enjoyed and recognized the important things in life -

Friends and Family
Good Food (at times not too good, but he gave it try)
The rewards of hard work
Music

A few phrases he used often:

“Proof is in the Pudding”

“No Kidding”

“Let’s go”

“Give em Hell!”


He was a wonderful Dad, Grandfather and friend - a really good guy!

To share a memory of Francis or leave a special condolence message for his family, please click the Share Memories button above.

Services & Gatherings

Visitation

Friday, October 24, 2014 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Newcomer - West Metro Chapel
901 South Sheridan Blvd
Lakewood, CO 80226
Directions & Map

Service

Friday, October 24, 2014 at 12:00 PM
Newcomer - West Metro Chapel
901 South Sheridan Blvd
Lakewood, CO 80226
Directions & Map

Interment

Fort Logan National Cemetery

West Metro Chapel (303-274-6065) is assisting the family

West Metro Chapel (303-274-6065) is assisting the family

Memorial Video

Guestbook

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