Ira Veldhuizen

Ira Veldhuizen

December 23, 1921 – August 27, 2011

Oskaloosa, Iowa

Visitation: will begin at 11 a.m., Monday morning, August 29, 2011 at Garland-Van Arkel-Langkamp Funeral Chapel. The family will be family present from 5-7 p.m. to greet visitors.
Funeral Service: 10:30 a.m., Tuesday morning, August 30, 2011 at Central Reformed Church with Reverend Donald DeGlopper officiating. A family prayer service will be held at 10:15 a.m. in the church wing preceding the funeral.
Interment: Oakwood Cemetery near Pella with military honors by the Oskaloosa Veterans organizations.

Ira passed away Saturday morning at the Mahaska Health Partnership Hospice Services Serenity House in Oskaloosa at the age of 89 years, 8 months and 4 days.

Ira Veldhuizen, son of Jacob and Christina Jabaai Veldhuizen, was born December 23, 1921 at the home of his parents in rural Oskaloosa, Iowa. He was a 1939 graduate of Pella High School. He entered the U.S. Army June 13, 1942 at Ft. Des Moines, Iowa. While in the military he served in the Base Unit of the 2516th Army Air Force as an airplane and engine mechanic. Ira was united in marriage with Nellie Edith De Penning, October 18, 1944 at the home of Nellie’s parents in Pella, Iowa, while Ira was still in the military. Shortly after their marriage Ira was shipped overseas. When Ira departed the U.S., he left New York City on a ship that traveled for 40 days and nights. They traveled through the Red Sea and eventually arrived in India and then flew to China and ended up in ShangHai and later Japan. His unit eventually made their way back to San Francisco, having completed a trip around the world. He was discharged as a Corporal, February 2, 1946 at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Upon his return to Iowa, he resumed farming and Ira and Nellie made their home six miles southeast of Oskaloosa in Harrison Township. Ira retired in 1989 and in 1990, Ira and Nellie moved into Oskaloosa. As a young man Ira was involved in 4-H activities, he showed calves at the Mahaska County, Iowa State and International Fair in Chicago. He continued his involvement in 4-H and served as a leader for the Harrison Hustlers while his children were involved in 4-H. Ira was over a 60 year member of Central Reformed Church where he served many years as an elder, deacon and Sunday school teacher. He was also a member of the VFW and the American Legion. Ira enjoyed spending time with his family; they have many fond memories of fishing, putting puzzles together and playing games.

His family includes his wife of 66 years, Nellie Veldhuizen of Oskaloosa; his children and their spouses: Bonnie and Willie Van Weelden of Oskaloosa; Lois Roth of Mount Pleasant, IA; Karen and Michael Vossberg of Bowling Green, VA; Jerry and Penny Veldhuizen of Oskaloosa, IA; Mark and Tammy Veldhuizen of Rochester, MN and Clyde and Kimberly Veldhuizen of Savage, MN; grandchildren: Valerie (Brendan) Terpstra; Jennie (Jeff) Baham; Melissa (Charlie) Bowen, Brent (Crystal) and Noelle Roth; Alicia and Joshua Vossberg; Kelsey, Nicole and Cassie Veldhuizen; Morgan and Ryan Veldhuizen; and Jacob, Jessica and Ellie Veldhuizen; and great grandchildren: Nathaniel, Taylor and Breanna Terpstra; Camille Baham; and Amelia and Aubrey Bowen.

Besides his parents, Ira was preceded in death by a son, Russell Jay in 1955.

Source: GVL Funeral Chapel