Glenda Veltman

Glenda (Geesina) Jeannette (Zuiderveld) Veltman of Grand Rapids, Michigan, passed away on July 31, 2022 at the age of 75 years. She was lovingly cared for at The Oaks at Byron Center during her last years of declining health. Glenda was born in Groningen, The Netherlands, on January 27, 1947, the youngest of two children, immigrated to the USA on the SS Ryndam in January, 1953, and grew up in Southern California. Glenda earned her RN degree from Blodgett Memorial Hospital School of Nursing and practiced in Michigan, Minnesota, and Washington, while raising her 8 children. She had an active role as a pastor’s wife and shared her talents in so many ways, including leading music worship (piano) in church and Vacation Bible School, doing duets with Peter on his saxophone, arranging flowers and gardens, editing and typing, swimming and beach parties, playing Scrabble, reading, sewing, baking … and especially visiting over coffee - with lots of cream and sugar.

Glenda is preceded in death by her parents: Roelf Zuiderveld and Catharina (Kruger) Zuiderveld, and her brother Rudy (Rudolf) Zuiderveld.

She leaves behind a community of those that loved her, including her husband of 54 years, Peter Veltman; 8 children: Christy den Haan-Veltman (Mike den Haan) of Severn, Ontario, Stephanie Veltman Santarosa (Mike Santarosa) of Sandy, Utah, Timothy Veltman (Suelene Sousa) of Brasília, Brazil, Maria Veltman of Todos Santos, Mexico, Anita Milanovich (John Milanovich) of Helena, Montana, Gregory Veltman (Andrea Hensen) of Harrison Hot Springs, British Columbia, Nathaniel Veltman (Ruthina) of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and Benjamin Veltman (Megan) of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; 14 grandchildren: Matteo Joko-Veltman, Sofia Joko-Veltman, Simon den Haan, Seth Veltman, Lydia Veltman, Josie Santarosa, Levi Veltman, Maddy Santarosa, Micah Veltman, Charlotte Veltman, Pascal Veltman, Marko Milanovich, Neko Veltman, and Rebekah Veltman; and her sister-in-law, Sharon (DeWind) Zuiderveld.

A memorial service to celebrate Glenda’s life will be held at First United Presbyterian Church of Crafton Heights, PA on Sept 3 at 11:00am and will also be live streamed. An in-person gathering to view the streamed service will be held simultaneously at LaGrave Avenue Christian Reformed Church, in Grand Rapids, MI, where Glenda was a member.

Condolences, memories, and photos can be sent to Pastor Peter Veltman, 25 East Crafton Ave. #412, Crafton, PA 15205. Memorial tributes to commemorate Glenda’s life can be made to United World Mission to support the mission work of her son Nathaniel in Ethiopia which she faithfully supported through the years. Donations can be given [USA] online at https://uwm.org/missionaries/31554/ or by check sent to United World Mission, PO Box 602002, Charlotte, NC 28260-2002, or [Canada] https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/united-world-mission-of-canada-inc/ and selecting Veltman T & R.