DENISE VELARDE OBITUARY
Denise (Uhrig) Velarde, 65, of Indianapolis passed away peacefully in her sleep on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, after a 2.5-year battle with ovarian cancer. Denise was a loving wife, daughter, sister, aunt, niece, cousin and friend and will be greatly missed. Denise was born July 25, 1960, in New Orleans, Louisiana to the late William Guy and Patsy Ann (Long) Uhrig. Even though she was a “Coast Guard brat” who moved often throughout childhood, she was a true Indy west-sider and Hoosier. After her family, Denise’s true loves were curling up with a good book with her fur baby Parker, enjoying fine food and drink, watching and attending IndyCar races, and sharing her love of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway at the IMS Museum.
After graduating from North Ridgeville High School (OH) in 1978 and Marian University in 1982, Denise enjoyed a long career at Golden Rule Insurance/United Healthcare. She then followed in her father’s footsteps and became a tour guide at the IMS museum. She worked at the museum until her illness forced her to resign.
Denise was preceded in death by her father Bill, aunt Gina Bruce, and cousin Kyle Hohn. She is survived by her loving husband of 9 years, John Velarde; her mother Patsy; her sister Dawn (Patrick) Collier; her brother Dan (Tracy) Uhrig; nieces Delaney Collier, Katie Phipps and Samantha Allen; nephews Liam Collier, Benjamin Uhrig, Michael Uhrig, Will Phipps and Billy Allen and many loving aunts, uncles, and cousins.
We would like to thank the physicians and staff at Community Health Hospital and Adoration Hospice for providing such professional and compassionate care for Denise and her family.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Denise’s name to the American Cancer Society or the SOAR Initiative (animal rescue on W. 10th St. in Speedway where we got Parker from).
A Celebration of Life ceremony will be held on Sunday, February 22 from 1-5 at Wyrk Space event center located at 4910 West 16th Street in Speedway (just a few blocks away from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway). Memorial tribute at 2 PM.
Food and drinks will be provided. There is parking available behind the building, and on both sides of 16th Street, and on Main Street.
All are welcome. Anybody who wants to attend is welcome.
