Velma (Brand) Bak age 94. Married for 49 years to Dr. Thaddeus F. Bak until his death in 2001. A longtime resident of Park Ridge, IL, Grants Pass, OR, and University House in Issaquah, WA. An elementary teacher for 13 years, she and her husband, who met on Kodiak Island, AK, did volunteer work in Africa and traveled the world, visiting exotic places like New Guinea and the Khyber Pass long before it was fashionable.

Survivors include her children, Patricia Bak (Lawrence Noble), Susan Fitz (Robert), Thadine Bak (Jay Hickenbottom), and Frederick Bak (Jennie), and her grandchildren, Jonathan, Christopher, Sarah, Daniel, David, Hilary, Michael, and Sydney.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p. m. on Monday, November 28, 2016 at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, 24850 S.E., Issaquah Fall City Rd., Issaquah, WA 98029.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions in Velma’s name to Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church at the above address.