Mel Veldhuizen

Melvin Veldhuizen, 80, of Oskaloosa passed away Wednesday morning, February 8, 2017, at the Mahaska Health Partnership Hospice Serenity House in Oskaloosa. Melvin L. Veldhuizen, son of Cornie V. and Jeanette (Roorda) Veldhuizen, was born at the rural home of his parents near Cedar, Iowa. He was a 1954 graduate of Cedar High School and then went into full time farming with his father. He moved to what is now known as the family farm in 1955; it was just a mile from his parents (his grandson and his family currently reside on this farm.) Melvin married the love-of-his-life and partner, Darlene Bieshaar Rozendaal, August 20, 1988, at Calvary Church in Oskaloosa. Through the years, Mel raised hogs and cattle in addition to working the land. For a time he was a dealer for Archer Oil, supplying the oil needs of other farmers in his area. Mel and his son, Dennis formed V & V Farms Partnership. Mel semi-retired from farming in 2014 but continued to help with the operations until the time his death. He passed his love of the land and farming on to his children and grandchildren, but more importantly in Melvin’s mind, he passed his love of the Lord and his example of service on to them. Over the years, Mel served as a member of the Cedar/Eddyville School Board and on the Mahaska Rural Water Board. The First Christian Church was his current church home, and he served as an elder and deacon there, as well as at the previous church he attended. He and Darlene enjoyed wintering at Casa Del Sol Park in Texas for over 10 years. While living there, they attended the park’s church, and Mel served as the church chairman for six years and also chairman of the park. He emceed social events and played Santa Claus on numerous occasions. Mel had the gift of making friends where ever he went. He will be missed by many of his coffee time friends at McDonald's. Mel’s family includes his wife, Darlene of 28 years: his children: Debra (Terry) Peter of Palm Bay, Florida and Dennis (Jil) Veldhuizen of Oskaloosa; step-children: Dave (Kim) Rozendaal of Carthage, Missouri, Dan Rozendaal of Oskaloosa, Steve (Michelle) Rozendaal of Spirit Lake, Iowa and Suzanne (Henry) Anderson of Baxter, Iowa; grandchildren: Derek (Sarah) McClure, Afton (Kerry) Keovongsack, Tanner McClure (fiancée – Marissa), Mandy (Kurt) Johnston, Abby (Scott) Canfield, and Dustin (Megan) Veldhuizen; step-children: Mandy Simila, Kelsie Rozendaal, Joe (Chelsi) Rozendaal, Alyson (Andrew) Bishop, Cassie (C.J.) Miller, Zack Rozendaal, Adam Rozendaal, Jamie Rozendaal, Isaac Anderson, Levi Anderson, Lucas Anderson, Emma Anderson, Brook (Austin) Blackwell and Paige (Joe) Pierson; many great-grandchildren and many step-great-grandchildren. He is also survived by a brother, Harold (Leona) Veldhuizen of Pella and a sister, Carolyn Van Wyk of Pella. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Edwin Veldhuizen.