Clarence W. Velgersdyk

Clarence's service can be livesteamed at: https://youtu.be/z9oKtTGGAok Clarence was born to John and Nellie Velgersdyk (Vande Griend) on February 23, 1928, in Hull, Iowa. Three other boys were later born to that union: twins Harold and Harvey and the caboose, Marlan. Clarence was nurtured in Hull by many friends, neighbors and relatives. He remembered with fondness many people who nurtured his Christian faith as a youth. Clarence attended Hull Christian Grammar School and Western Christian High School, graduating in 1945. Fond of music, he took piano lessons, playing and singing throughout his life. After high school, Clarence drove a truck, hauling gravel and produce from farm to market. When he was almost 18, he met the love of his life, Joyce Kooima from Rock Valley, Iowa. At the same time, he answered the call to Army life. He spent a short time at Fort Lee, Virginia and then was shipped overseas to occupied Japan. During this time, he narrowly averted being in a train wreck, by missing his connection, experienced a forced crash landing at Johnston Island and was reported lost at sea when his troop carrier was lost in a typhoon in the Pacific. Returning home from Japan, Clarence again drove truck, before leaving to attend Calvin College in Grand Rapids, MI. During his senior year of college, he and Joyce were married. on June 13, 1951. After graduating in 1952, Clarence spent one year in Calvin Seminary, then went to work for General Motors until the fall of 1954 when he accepted an English teaching position at Baxter Christian School. He taught there for 9 years until the school closed. With the school closing, in 1963 his family moved to Minneapolis where he taught English for 30 years in the Minneapolis Public Schools. At the same time, he taught in the evening Adult Basic Education program at Norwest Bank in Minneapolis for 27 years. Clarence retired in 1993. Clarence and Joyce were founding members of Calvary Christian Reformed Church and later attended Redeemer Reformed Church. In retirement, he and Joyce enjoyed grandchildren and their athletic events, traveling all over the country. They also enjoyed travel to distant places including Canada, Alaska, Hawaii, Mexico, Hong Kong, China, England, Germany, Jordan, Israel and the Netherlands. Clarence always believed he and Joyce had lived an enjoyable, healthy and fruitful life. He often remarked "that truly the Lord has blessed us; praise be to him!" Clarence is preceded in death by Joyce, his loving wife of 71 years, his parents John and Nellie (Vande Griend) Velgersdyk, brothers Harold and Harvey Velgersdyk. He will be deeply missed by his children John (Janice), Roxane (Mike) Jeltema, Kevin (Laura), and Jason (Sandi); 12 grandchildren, and 16, soon to be 17, great-grandchildren. Visitation will take place at Washburn-McReavy Bloomington Chapel (2300 W Old Shakopee Rd, Bloomington) on Tuesday, December 6 from 5:30-7:30 PM. A celebration of life will be held on Wednesday, December 7, at 12:30 PM with visitation for one hour prior at Redeemer Reformed Church (1300 Lilac Drive N, Golden Valley). A luncheon will follow the service. Memorials preferred to Avail Academy or Redeemer Reformed Church. Interment in Dawn Valley Memorial Park.

Tributes

Clarence W. Velgersdyk

February 23, 1928 - December 2, 2022

Tributes

Clarence W. Velgersdyk

February 23, 1928 - December 2, 2022

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