Cornie Veldhuisen

Cornie John Veldhuisen was born on September 28, 1929 to John and Minnie (Vander Meer) Veldhuisen in Milaca, Minnesota. As a young child, Cornie moved with his family to a farm near the Chandler/Lake Wilson, Minnesota area. He attended country school near Chandler through the 8th grade. At that time he helped his Dad on the family farm. He entered the United States Army and served in Korea from 1951 to 1952. On February 28, 1952, he was honorably discharged. On February 11, 1955, he was united in marriage to Johanna Kallemeyn in Edgerton, Minnesota. Following their marriage they lived on a farm near Bigelow, Minnesota where they lived until moving to a farm near Slayton, Minnesota in 1957. They lived there for a short time before moving to a farm near Hadley, Minnesota in 1958. In 1967, they moved to Pipestone Minnesota and Cornie worked for Gordon Ahrendt Implement, DeVries Implement, and Jack Farrell Implement. He always enjoyed repairing balers, planters, combines and could fix anything. Even after his retirement at age 65, he still worked several different jobs to keep busy. After Jo’s death on November 11, 1998, he continued to live in his home until August of 2013 when he entered into the Minnesota Veteran’s Home in Luverne. On Thursday, November 16, 2017, Cornie passed away there at the age of 88 years, one month, and 19 days.

Cornie was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Pipestone. He was also a member of the Michael Boock American Legion Post #6 and the VFW Post #3814 in Pipestone. He loved walking the trail at the Pipestone National Monument and watching the birds and deer. When he had the chance, he enjoyed watching the bald eagle cameras from across the nation. Through the years he liked going to the Steam Threshing Jamboree in Madison, South Dakota and also gardening at home. He truly loved his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and treasured the time spent with them.

Cornie is lovingly remembered by three children, Deb (Randy) Olson of Windom, Minnesota, Lori Veldhuisen of Edgerton, and Mike Veldhuisen of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; three grandchildren, Brittany (fianc, Austin Vuong) Hansen, Jason Olson, and Amanda (Adam) Gorecki; two great-grandchildren, Jaxton Hansen and Saoirse Vuong; one sister, Johanna Vis of Edgerton; one brother, John Jr. of Visalia, California; numerous nieces and nephew; and his friends in the Veteran’s Home. He was preceded in death by his wife, Jo; three sons, David, Donald, and Douglas; three brothers, Anton, Henry, and Martin; three sisters, Elizabeth, Gertrude, and Martha; and his parents, John and Minnie.