Bonnie Lou Van Weelden

Bonnie Van Weelden, 78, of Oskaloosa, passed away Friday, August 29, 2025, at Mahaska Health. Bonnie Lou Van Weelden, daughter of Ira and Nellie (De Penning) Veldhuizen, was born on January 15, 1947, in Oskaloosa. She was a 1965 graduate of Oskaloosa High School. She furthered her education at St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids and earned her L.P.N. degree in 1966. She continued working at St. Luke's until the end of January 1967. Bonnie married the love of her life, Henry "Willie" Van Weelden, in February 1967. Three days later, they flew to London and then on to Italy, where they lived for two years, as Willie was stationed there. They lived in Specolia, Italy. After returning to Iowa in 1969, Bonnie worked at Mahaska Hospital until their second daughter was born, and then became a stay-at-home mother. She returned to work in 1977 at Family Medical Center. In 1988, she took a break from health care and went to work at VandeLune's Fabric for nine years. She then returned to her nursing career in 1997 at the Physicians Clinic at Mahaska Hospital, where she retired in 2009. During her years as a nurse, she initially worked for Dr. Bob Collison, nurse practitioner Kim Nikkel, and, lastly, as a P.R.N. nurse to all the doctors (also known as a floating nurse). Bonnie was a partner with Willie in the farming operation. Her commitment to feeding the family and the hired hands was one of her most extraordinary contributions and a source of great joy. Bonnie always provided coffee time for their loved ones with all of her delicious baked goods. Being a member of Fellowship Bible was an integral part of Bonnie's life. She shined her light and love for Jesus for all she came in contact with. She was skilled at the sewing machine and was a Master Seamstress. Bonnie sewed her wedding dress, her daughter Val's, and the girls' bridesmaids' dresses. Her baked goods were shared with countless family and friends during conversations over coffee time. Bonnie also found peace in scrapbooking her family's cherished memories. Bonnie's family includes her daughters: Valerie (Brendan) Terpstra of Pella; Jennifer Baham of San Jose, CA; Melissa (Charlie) Bowen of Oskaloosa; nine grandchildren: Nathaniel (Emily) Terpstra of Pella; Taylor (Abby) Terpstra of Leighton; Breanna (Jordan) Slotten of Pella; Camille and Erin Baham of San Jose, CA; Amelia, Aubrey, Amara, and Declan Bowen of Oskaloosa; eight great-grandchildren: Clayton, Matthias, and Hudson Terpstra; Tabitha, Boaz, and Hadassah Terpstra; and Alexa and Orville Slotten. Her siblings also survive her: Lois Roth of Mt. Pleasant; Karen (Mike) Vossberg of Bowling Green, Virginia; Jerry (Penny) Veldhuizen of Oskaloosa; Mark (Tammy) Veldhuizen of Ponte Verda, Florida; and Clyde (Kim) Veldhuizen of Savage, Minnesota. Bonnie was preceded in death by her husband, Willie; a brother, Russell Veldhuizen; her parents; and her parents-in-law, Hank and Grace Van Weelden. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, September 4, 2025, at Fellowship Bible Church in Oskaloosa, with Reverend Rodney DeRonde officiating. Burial will follow at the Old White Cemetery in Oskaloosa. Visitation will begin at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, September 3, 2025, at Langkamp Funeral Chapel, with the family present from 4 – 6 p.m., to greet relatives and friends. Memorials may be made to the Mahaska Health Hospice Serenity House.

Bonnie Lou Van Weelden

January 15, 1947 - August 29, 2025