Jim Veldman

Jim Veldman, 74 passed away on Friday, January 5, 2024 at the Good Samaritan Society in Albert Lea, MN.  A memorial service will be held at 11am on Friday, January 12, 2024 at Grace Lutheran Church in Albert Lea, with a visitation held one hour prior to the service.  Pastor Shane Koepke will be officiating.

Jim was born on June 28, 1949 to Albert and Bertha Veldman in Albert Lea.    He grew up in Hollandale, MN and graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1967, and later the Albert Lea Technical College for Welding.  He met and married Geraldine “Gerri” Brown and together they had three children.  They recently celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary on December 20, 2023.  In 1969, Jim was drafted into the Army and served in Vietnam as an MP.  After being honorably discharged, he returned to work on the family farm. 

Jim was a member of the Hollandale Reformed Church, and after moving to Albert Lea in the 1980’s, became a member of Grace Lutheran Church, and served a term as a council member.  He was also a member of the American Legion, VFW, and the Elks.  When he wasn’t busy farming, he loved watching the Twins and Vikings.  An item he crossed off on his bucket list was going to see ZZ-Top in concert.  Jim loved being a grandpa, with fond memories made playing Uno with his grandchildren, and always having homemade pickles and zucchini bread made for them. You could often find Jim and Gerri in the garden, tending to their vegetables, and Jim was especially fond of the many varieties of roses he grew.  He was known for cooking and baking, always looking forward to bringing Dutch Letter pastries for his family and friends in Hollandale at Christmas time.  He loved going on “weekend getaways” with Gerri and socializing with his family and friends.

Jim is survived in death by his wife Gerri, children Kristi (Phil) Paulson, Chad (Katie) Veldman, and Kelly (Don) Sergio; grandchildren: Alyx, Alese, Cole, and Avri Paulson; Addilynn and Ellary Veldman; and Viola, Otto, and Bruno Sergio.  Brother Dave Veldman, sister Bev Jensen; brother-in-law Al Brown; sister-in-law Marcia (Bob) Knock, and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Jim is preceded in death by his parents Albert and Bertha Veldman; in-laws Henry and Erna Brown; and sister-in-law Deb Brown, along with many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to the VFW, American Legion or the Fisher House Foundation.

The family would like to give a special thank you the nurses at St. Croix Hospice for their compassionate care, and also to the Good Samaritan Nursing Home for their patience and care.