Janet Soeter Veldman

1934 - 2025

Janet Lou (Jan) Soeter Veldman, 91, of Pittsburgh, PA, formerly of Austin, passed away peacefully at home on July 8, 2025.

Jan was born on April 3, 1934 in Teaneck New Jersey to John Jacob Soeter and Esther Randolph Soeter. She attended high school in New Jersey, where she was a yearbook editor, president of the Public Speaking Club and a standout on the swim team among her many academic and athletic achievements. Following high school, she attended Hope College in Holland, Michigan, graduating in 1956. It was at Hope College that Janet met her future husband, Donald Veldman. They married on December 17,1955 at Second Reformed Church, New Brunswick, New Jersey, where her father presided as pastor.

Jan and Don moved to Austin, Texas in August 1956 and had four children over the next ten years, Audrey Ann, Catherine Sue, Gregory John and Stuart Randolph. In the early 1970's, Jan went back to nursing school and acquired her LVN designation. Jan spent several years working in Labor and Delivery at St. David's hospital before going to work for Dr. William Kelly in his private practice until her retirement.

Jan was an accomplished seamstress and was passionate about crafting. She loved building elaborate dollhouses for her granddaughters and also entered into a number of dollhouse competitions. She fused this passion with her love of the medical field by building and selling dollhouses to raise money for a scholarship that was named in her honor for children interested in pursuing a medical career. Guiding Jan throughout her life was her faith in Jesus Christ. Beginning with the teachings of her mother and father, Jan was always active in church, wherever she resided, including decades as a member of Covenant Presbyterian Church in Austin, Texas.

Janet is survived by her four children, Audrey Veldman and husband Kim Wilson; Cathy Veldman and partner Joe Biedron; Greg Veldman and wife Cheryl Bleiler Veldman; Randy Veldman and partner Brooke Olm. Janet is also survived by grandchildren Amy Goyne; Marissa Veldman and partner John McKenzie; Nora Wilson; and Alison Veldman Wilson Crow and husband Cale Crow: and her two great grandchildren Harrison and Juniper. Janet is also survived by her brother, Dr. John Randolph Soeter, as well as nieces Karen Thompson, Susan Thompson-Doering, Jenni Thompson, Melissa O'Donnel, Mary Keppler and Chi Von Glahn; and nephews Robert Thompson, Andrew Church, Matthew Soeter and Benjamin Soeter. Janet is preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Donald Veldman; her sister, Ruth Church; and her granddaughter, Kelsey Veldman.

The family would like to express their extreme gratitude for the Allegheny Health Network Home Hospice team for their unending support and assistance through Janet's last several weeks. Additionally, we are very grateful for the care our mother received from her primary physician, Dr. Lyn Weinberg and their amazing team, during Mom's almost seven years in Pittsburgh.

A virtual memorial service will be held on Wednesday, July 16 at 7 p.m. EDT. Please email us at the following email address if you would like the link to attend the online service: steelerfanmom@zmail.com.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to her alma mater, Hope College at http://www.givecampus.com/campaigns/46457/donations/new.