Edward Van Veldhuizen, age 80, of Storm Lake, Iowa, died Tuesday, October 31, 2006 at Buena Vista Regional Medical Center in Storm Lake.

Funeral Service for Mr. Van Veldhuizen are scheduled for Friday, November 3, 2006 at 11:00 a.m. at the Storm Lake United Methodist Church. Burial will be in the Storm Lake Cemetery. Flag presentation will be by AMVETS Post #66. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home of Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements.

Friends may call from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 2, 2006 at the Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake, where family will be present from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Ed was born on a farm near Matlock, Iowa, the son of Evert and Susie Van Veldhuizen. He grew up in Hospers, Iowa where he attended the Christian Schools. At the age of eighteen, he—together with his brother—enlisted in the United States Navy. Eventually he was stationed on the USS Philadelphia and served in the Mediterranean Theatre of War.

Upon his honorable discharge from the Navy, he enrolled the second semester at Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa, where he met his future wife, Helen Witter. They were married August 27, 1947 in the Storm Lake Methodist Church. The couple continued to live in Sioux City while Ed finished his college degree. In 1948 they set up housekeeping in Sheldon, Iowa, where Ed was affiliated with Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company. Their four wonderful children were born in Sheldon: Carol, Thomas, Curtis and Judy. After eleven years, the family moved to Mason City, Iowa, where they lived for four years. In 1963 they built a new home in Storm Lake and have lived there ever since.

Many years ago, Ed was on the boards of Methodist Manor and the Harker House in Storm Lake. He also delivered Meals on Wheels for many years.

Ed was a true nature lover. There was nothing he enjoyed more than working in his yard and in his flower gardens. He called his back yard his little sanctuary and would sit and watch the hummingbirds, wrens and butterflies.

Over the years, Ed volunteered many hours of work on the gardens at Lake Creek Country Club and Clara Griffels Garden. He was a devoted member of the United Methodist Church in Storm Lake.

Ed loved to travel, especially to Door County in Wisconsin, with good friends. He and his wife enjoyed a Flower and Garden Tour of Europe and a family cruise with their adult children. When his health permitted, he enjoyed a good game of golf.

Ed cherished his good friends and the morning coffee group at the Pantry Café in downtown Storm Lake. When he could no longer get out, he spent many hours working sudoku and crossword puzzles.

Ed was a generous and loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He will be missed beyond words.

Ed and Helen were the honored recipients of the 2006 Wendell Halverson Outstanding Friend Award given by the Buena Vista University Alumni Association.

Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Helen of Storm Lake; four children: Carol (Bob) Payton of Liberty, Missouri; Tom (Jill) Van Veldhuizen of Cedar Falls, Iowa; Curtis Van Veldhuizen of West Des Moines, Iowa; and Judy (David) Ploeger of Storm Lake; seven grandchildren: Susan (Ernie) Pither; Jill and Jeff Payton; Bryan and Kristen Van Veldhuizen; Tony (Robyn) Ploeger; and Peggy Ploeger; one great-grandchild, Weston Ploeger; one brother, Gilbert; two sisters: Cornelia Van Leeuwen and Bertha Van Gorp; several nieces and nephews and many wonderful friends.

Ed was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Cornelius; and a sister, Nellie Den Hartog.