Visitation: A visitation will be held from 9:30 -11:30 AM Saturday, April 25 at Lawrence Elementary School in Canton, SD (Please use door on far south side of building).
Service: Funeral services will begin at 11:30 AM Saturday, April 25 at Lawrence Elementary School in Canton, SD (Please use door on far south side of building).
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Delbert Roy Veldkamp, 68, of rural Canton, passed peacefully at home with family at his side on April 20, 2026. Delbert was born to Pete and Ruby (Kots) Veldkamp on January 4, 1958 in Valley Springs, SD and started school at Beaver Creek, MN before the family moved to the Veldkamp family farm at Canton in 1966. Delbert graduated from Canton High School in 1976 and continued farming with his dad and brothers, feeding livestock and raising crops. In 1977 he met Brenda Albin and in 1979 secured his sweetheart as his wife. They lived near the farm and raised Steven, Tim and Tanya, eventually settling where he was raised in 1997. There he continued the farming operation, retiring in 2024 but continuing to help his sons do what he loved every day that he could.
Delbert grew up in a home and family that loved God and made his choice to serve Him when he was 10. He honored this commitment throughout his life and was glad to share about his faith with others who were interested. Delbert loved to visit and enjoyed every lifelong and new friendship along the way. Having company or visiting others a couple times a week was the norm. Frequent visits and stays from our ministers were welcome and treasured. Delbert especially loved visiting his many aunts and uncles and often tried to include stops with them in family travel plans. In 2017 Delbert was diagnosed with cancer and twice outlived doctors’ expectations, enjoying another 8 years before the disease began altering life more and more. Delbert’s large extended family and larger group of friends and neighbors made his journey significantly easier to take each step. Since his release from oncology in December, he had a steady stream of supporters stopping by, calling, texting and remembering him daily.
Delbert entered Hospice on February 8 and welcomed another group of friends he could visit while they provided the energy and help that he and his family needed to help him stay at home to finish his days. Our thankfulness for his local care team and especially the hospice nurses, aides and therapists that shared his last days and even minutes goes well beyond words.
Delbert is survived by his wife Brenda; sons Steven (Audrey) of Jamestown, ND and Tim (Maggie) of Brookings, SD and daughter Tanya (Cameron) Swenson of McVille, ND; grandchildren Cammie Veldkamp, Cody Veldkamp, Katie Veldkamp, Smith Veldkamp, Jac Veldkamp, Sage Swenson and Ryla Swenson; siblings Patsy Layman, David (Diane) Veldkamp, Paul (Juli) Veldkamp and Sadie (Jay) Heetland; brothers-in-law Wayne Albin, Ron Albin, sister-in-law Denise (Leroy) Veldkamp and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Twyla Veldkamp, in-laws Dennis and Lois Albin and brother-in-law Kevin Albin.
A visitation will be held from 9:30 -11:30 AM Saturday, April 25 at Lawrence Elementary School in Canton, SD (Please use door on far south side of building) with the funeral starting at 11:30AM. All are welcome to stay for a luncheon immediately following the funeral. A private family graveside service will be held at Richland Cemetery, Inwood, IA at a later date.
Prayers for his family.
So sorry for your loss
Brenda Steven Timmy Tanya
I’m so Sorry to hear about Delbert passing ,Scott and I have so many great memories with all of you kids…. My heart breaks for all of you Delbert was such a neat person to be around We will never forget all the great time we spent with Delbert .. sending you all {{Big Hugs }} and many prayers at such a difficult times!!
Brenda & Family – There are no words to describe this grief you’re going through. We know this much – It cuts like a knife. Delbert is in VERY Good HANDS now. Much love and many hugs to ALL of you.
Brenda Steven Tim And Tanya
I’m so sorry to hear about Delbert passing .. Scott and I have so many great memories with Delbert and Brenda .. Scott in his elementary school days and high school hung around as friends .. they played pool at his parents basement til we hours … I can hear Delbert and Scott talking and laughing .. just know you are all in our prayers.. Sending our Condolences and Big ((Hugs )) at this difficult times .. Scott and Lynn Vaksdal
Delbert was always kind to all and enjoyed visiting. Our deepest sympathies to your family and may you feel God’s comfort.
So sorry for your loss he was easy to talk to made you fill welcome. He will be missed.
our love and care go out to this dear family! Delbert and Brenda always had a warm and friendly welcome to their home. we appreciated their fellowship.
our love and care to this Dear family. there was always a warm and friendly welcome to their home. we appreciated their fellowship!
To all the Veldkamp family I’m so sorry for your loss. Delbert spent his entire life storing up his treasure in heaven and so although we miss gentle souls like his it’s hard to mourn them going to be with the Lord. I’ll always treasure who Delbert was to me, especially in my younger years, and all the great times spent with the cousins. May all the memories of him along with God’s love and hope that we all have to join him in eternity when we are called be your strength. Much love to you all.
Sorry for your loss. I always enjoyed visits with Delbert and his family. God bless him and all of you with love, comfort and precious memories.
Tanya, I’m so sorry for the loss of your dad. I pray for God’s blessings of comfort and peace for you and your family.
Deepest sympathy to you and your family…sending hugs & love…🤍
Went to school w Delbert. He liked baseball.
I would see him a few times a year, usually bump into him at a farm store.
Last time we visited, he joked that going to the store was like a school reunion.
He for sure, Will be missed.
Prayers for his family
Extending condolences to dear Brenda and the family. I have appreciated Delbert’s humble, gentle, and kind spirit. It is so lovely that we can think of Delbert going home to be with our Saviour and Heavenly Father.
Please know we care. Seeing Delbert a month ago was unexpected and we’re very thankful we did! He was very brave in this fight and now he’s free of pain. Joy and sorrow interwoven!! He’ll be missed by all.
Sending healing prayers & hugs to Brenda & all your family! The picture you showed of Delbert is the neighbor, classmate & friend I remember. That smile he had says it all!
What a tremendous loss for us but gain in Heaven. All will miss Delbert’s humility, kindness and sense of humor. Brenda and Delbert were witnesses of a strong and loving marriage and parents to three loyal and loving children. Praying for strength in this time of grief and the full awareness of Christ’s love.
Dearest Brenda and family. Our hearts, thoughts and prayers go out to each of you as you face the future without Delbert’s presence with you! We are sorry we won’t be able to attend the memorial as will be in Montana. Please know we are thinking of you with love!
My deepest condolences.
My deepest sympathies to your family.
Brenda and family, I am so sorry for the the loss of Delbert. He was such a kind person making my kids feel at home there when you babysat them. Hugs and prayers for you all.
Delbert was a kind man always willing to visit. May your family feel God’s comfort. Our sympathy to you.
I am so sorry for your loss. Delbert will be remembered and loved for years to come. His smile and genuine care for others was felt by many including my mom. Hold on to all those wonderful memories. God Bless.
Good memories of times with Delbert and your family in your home and other places where we were with you. We want to keep the goal in view like he did.
My sympathy to Brenda and family. I am so sorry for your loss. May precious memories give you comfort.
Brenda and family,
I was so shocked to hear not so long ago of what you all were going through. You’ve been in my heart and mind ever since I heard, however. We are never ready to let our loved ones go but as I am certain that you experienced how much it helps when that same loved one is ready and waiting instead of waiting to get ready. I didn’t know Delbert as well as many did but he always had a kind word and that smile that you don’t forget! My condolences and deepest sympathy. So glad that you’re making the service accessible remotely! Thank you for that.
Sincerely,
Mark Mitchell
We are thinking about you today with love and care.. Neal and Glenda
Thinking of you with love and sympathy.
Brenda, Steven, and Tim…I am so sorry that I could not make it today. I tried to get the weekend changed but the lady I would have changed with worked, too. Please accept the presence of my family being there as mine, too.
My work computer restarted in the middle of my first message, so sorry if I leave 2. Delbert was a man that I have always looked up to and have always appreciated the times we had to visit. I am sorry for not being able to attend today, in person, but I have been able to listen/view via ZOOM. Know that he will be missed and my condolences are extended to you all. I know loss comes with sorrow, but I am, also, glad that he was an example of a life lived for beyond today or tomorrow.
My Greatest condolence’s on a wonderful man and true gentleman God Bless you sir
I am so sorry to hear about Delbert passing. He was a man of 100% integrity and honesty. Delbert was one of the good ones. I enjoyed him as a classmate at CHS, as well as catching up and talking farming when we would run into each other in later years. God Bless.
Brenda you have been in my heart many times & I well know your experience in parting with your sole mate. Time does heal but the loss is ever with you. I well know. But looking back knowing the suffering you genuinely realize what is best and accept the Lord’s timing. You have your family to keep lifting you up!
So sorry for your loss! Thinking of you & prayers during this time. May God give you peace & comfort.
Thoughts & Prayers for the family