Gerrit van Veen of Brussels passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, in his 96th year.
Loving husband of the late Helen (Olesen) van Veen. Dear father of Mark & Dianne van Veen of Elmwood, Paul & Sharon van Veen of Wroxeter, David & Gael van Veen of Guelph, Dan & Dianne van Veen of Brussels, Stephen & Kendra van Veen of Brussels, John & Mary Beth van Veen of Kenilworth, Rachel & Darryl Stoltz of Bonshaw, PEI, and Tim & Sarah van Veen of Ottawa.
Grandfather of Sarah van Veen, Nathan van Veen; Ivory van Veen, Justine van Veen, Vienna van Veen; Boaz van Veen; Ryan (Sarah) van Veen, Leanne (Menno) Wichers, Matthew (Emma) van Veen, Philip (Abbi) van Veen, Laura (Caleb) Klumpenhouwer; Christopher van Veen, Alicia van Veen; Max van Veen, Kailyn van Veen, Brielle van Veen; Lazarus (Samantha) Stoltz, Hannah Joy (Jacob) Macleod, Keziah Stoltz, Twila-Dawn Stoltz, Jedidiah Stoltz, Zadok Stoltz; Naomi van Veen and Felix van Veen, and great-grandfather of Phoebe, Rita, Elsie, Barrett, Leo, Sylvie, Raelyn, Izayus, Kinsley, Paityn, Harrison, and Hadassah. Brother of Alie (Gar) Lee of British Columbia.
Predeceased by his parents Marinus & Aagje (Oudshoorn) van Veen, siblings Clara van Merkestein, Agnes & Henk Ten Pas, Martha & Cornelis de Boer, and Piet van Veen & wife Margaret, and brother-in-law Ron Olesen & wife Kay.
Gerrit van Veen was born on March 10th, 1931 in Koudekerk aan den Rijn, the Netherlands. The oldest of 6 children, Gerrit experienced the devastation of the German occupation during the war, an experience he rarely spoke about. In 1948, the family emigrated to Canada. As a young man, Gerrit had several jobs, including at a steel mill and an Alberta ranch. Gerrit subsequently met Helen Olesen, who was attending teacher’s college with his sister Alie. Gerrit was smitten. They married in 1958 and settled down on a dairy farm in Huron County. The marriage was a happy one, and Gerrit and Helen had 8 children – seven boys and one girl. Gerrit and Helen loved spending time with their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Gerrit was the consummate Patriarch, fondly watching his many offspring at Christmas dinners and family pool parties, and taking an interest in their lives. Gerrit also loved to travel, most notably spending many post-retirement summers with Helen RVing around the United States. Gerrit was known for his gentle, kind demeanor, and his ability to positively engage with anyone he met. He really revelled in the simple and beautiful things in life…a nice summer breeze, a clean field of soybeans, hummingbirds at the feeder, and a good piece of rhubarb custard pie.
Gerrit’s life and legacy is most notably defined by deep faith in Jesus Christ. He studied his Bible every morning and prayed unceasingly for his family. He taught Sunday School, supported missions, and served for many years as an elder at Listowel Bible Chapel. He provided an example of loving God and loving others. Gerrit’s faith enabled him to remain positive despite challenges – the death of his wife, strokes, and physical decline. Gerrit had a keen memory and whenever you visited him, he could tell you what every family member was up to. He was content and always so grateful. Gerrit went to be with the Lord on May 26th, 2026 at the ripe old age of 95. He will be greatly missed.
Visitation was held at the Eaton Funeral Home, Listowel on Friday, May 29 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Private family interment and committal services were held at Fairview Cemetery, Listowel. The funeral service followed at Bethel Christian Reformed Church, Listowel on Saturday, May 30, 2026 at 1:30 p.m. The service was livestreamed and the link is available on the funeral home website.
Memorial donations to Wycliffe Bible Translators would be appreciated.
Online condolences may be left at www.eatonfuneralhome.ca
