Ray Van Weelden

Ray passed away very unexpectedly Tuesday evening, April 2, 2013, at the his home in Oskaloosa at the age of 87 years, 8 months, 20 days. Ray B. Van Weelden, son of William and Jennie Bouma Van Weelden, was born July 13, 1925, at the rural Oskaloosa home of his parents. He attended Red School and following his education helped his father on the family farm. He married Agnes Langstraat, February 14, 1945, in Oskaloosa. They made their home on a farm northeast of Lacy where they lived for 10 years. They then purchased a farm of their own just south of Oskaloosa; this farm is currently part of the Fox Run residential development and Oskaloosa Golf. Agnes passed away, December 27, 2000, and Ray married Wilma Nieuwsma Van Wyk, November 22, 2001. Ray sold his farm in 1978 and retired from farming; although he then began working for Brummel Carpentry, building houses. Ray volunteered his time and expertise with building several of the Habit for Humanity houses after he retired. Ray was a master craftsman woodworker; throughout his life he built many pieces of furniture such as bedroom suites, roll top desks and kitchen tables for family members. Ray enjoyed golf, especially in his later years. Ray’s family includes his wife, Wilma of 11 years; a son, Ronald Van Weelden of Wauwatosa, WI; two daughters; Angela (Robert) Hanson of Chandler, AZ and Joslyn (Daniel) Kramer of Dyer, IN; a stepson: Wayne (Sue) Van Wyk of Oskaloosa; a step-daughter-in-law, Robin Van Wyk of Oskaloosa; eleven grandchildren: Heather (Chad) DeGrave, Hannah Van Weelden, Adam (Ava) Van Weelden, Heidi (Caleb) Hopper, Austin Van Weelden and fiancée, Courtney Mendini, Holli (Dustin) Hopper, Halie Van Weelden, Joshua (Kristi) Kramer, Seth (Caitlyn) Kramer, Andy Kramer and Casey Kramer; six step-grandchildren: Mark (Tami) Van Wyk, Jason Van Wyk, Jeremy Van Wyk, Whitney (Stephen) Blattler, Scott (Megan) Van Wyk and Amanda (Davy) Richards; 16 great-grandchildren; eight step-great-grandchildren; three sisters: Dorothy DeRonde of Oskaloosa, Anna Kelderman of Apache Junction, AZ and Frances (Lester) Spoelstra of Redlands, CA; three brothers: Harold (Eileen) Van Weelden of Oskaloosa, Rev. James (Adrianna) Van Weelden of Grimsby, Canada, and Ernest (Mary) Van Weelden of Wesley, IA; three sisters-in-law: Wilma Van Weelden of Oskaloosa, Grace Van Weelden of Oskaloosa and Ruth Van Weelden of Pella. In addition to his parents and his first wife Agnes, Ray was preceded in death by five brothers: John, Henry, Peter, William Jr., and an infant brother; two sisters: Sylvia Kelderman and Jean Boender; a step-son, LaVern Van Wyk; a step-daughter, Bonita Bequeaith; and a step-grandson, Michael Bequeaith; and two step-great-grandchildren. Funeral services for Ray will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, April 6, 2013, at the First Christian Reformed Church in Oskaloosa with Reverend James Van Weelden and Ron Van Weelden officiating. Burial will be in Forest Cemetery. Visitation will begin at noon Friday at Garland-Van Arkel-Langkamp Funeral Chapel; the family will be present from 4-7 p.m. to greet visitors. Memorials may be made to MHP Hospice Services Serenity House. PDF Printable Version

Ray Van Weelden

July 13, 1925 - April 2, 2013