Obituary of Van Veldhuizen

Ivan Clayton Van Veldhuizen, was born to Henry and Nellie (Kroese) Van Veldhuizen on September 15, 1937, on a farm near Sanborn, IA. He received his education at Sanborn Community School, and graduated in 1956. He loved the Lord Jesus Christ very much, and was called home on June 22, 2012. He was united in marriage to Harriet Blankers on June 11, 1958 at the First Reformed Church in Sheldon, Iowa. God blessed them with six daughters: Cathy, Janet, Donna, Nancy, Diane, and Shari. There was no greater joy to him than being a loving husband and father. Following his marriage, he worked as a truck mechanic for AMPI, which at that time was known as the O’Brien County Coop Creamery. In 1966, his parents retired from farming, so Ivan and Harriet moved to the family farm and began working together. Along with crop farming, he milked cows, raised a few beef cattle, chickens, sheep and a lot of hogs in his farrow to finish operation. He retired to town in 1994 and on October 10, 2003, he entered the Prairie View Nursing Home. He was a member of First Reformed Church and served as Deacon and Sunday School Officer. He also served his community as a Franklin Township Trustee and was a member of the Sanborn-Melvin Coop Elevator Board. He enjoyed farming with his wife, fishing, golfing, playing in card club, listening to country music, and going dancing with Harriet. Most of all he loved spending time with his family. His sense of humor and wisdom were always valued by his children and grandchildren. His grandchildren filled his life with great joy, and always brought a smile to his face. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Harriet of 54 years; six daughters and their husbands: Cathy and Doug Lyman of Sanborn, IA, Janet and Ken Brunsting of Hull, IA, Donna and John Farrell of Sanborn, IA, Nancy and Ryan Van Dyke of Sanborn, IA, Diane and Chad McKee of Sioux Falls, SD, and Shari and Chuck Pyle of Huron, SD; fourteen grandchildren and three step-grandchildren; five great-grandchildren and two step great-grandchildren; two sisters: Esther, and her husband Robert Zonnefeld, of Sibley, IA and Marilynn, and her husband, Dale De Boer of Sibley, IA, and a sister-in-law: Jeane Van Veldhuizen of Sanborn, IA. Preceding him in death were his parents: Henry and Nellie; his brother: Henry Gene Van Veldhuizen; and his granddaughter: Lisa Lyman. In loving memory of Ivan C. Van Veldhuizen Sunrise ~ September 15, 1937 Sunset ~ June 22, 2012 Age ~ 74 years 9 months 7 days Funeral Service 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 26, 2012 First Reformed Church Sanborn, Iowa Clergy Rev. Gary Hegstad Organist Jill Dykstra Pianist Judy Dykstra Soloist Heidi Douma Special Music "He Touched Me" Congregational Singing Processional ~ “When We All Get To Heaven” #772 Recessional ~ “Victory In Jesus” #353 Pallbearers Doug Lyman Ken Brunsting John Farrell Ryan Van Dyke Chad McKee Chuck Pyle Ushers John Haack ~ Rod Douma ~ Terry DeGraaf Burial Roseland Cemetery Sanborn, Iowa Thank you for celebrating Ivan’s life with us today as he has entered his eternal home. We appreciate your acts of kindness and prayers during this time and over the past several years. We are grateful for your support and friendship. The Family of Ivan Van Veldhuizen