Roger A. Vander Velden, 78, passed away unexpectedly and peacefully late Thursday evening, Jan. 21, 2021, with his wife Betty at his side at his family’s home in Galesburg. A family funeral service was held Tuesday, Jan. 26, at 10:30 a.m. at Van Dyk-Duven Funeral Home, Pella. Interment will be made at a later date. Instead of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to the Sully Community Ambulance.
Roger Allan Vander Velden was the first of four children born to Jasper County farmers Bastian and Henrietta (Brouwer) Vander Velden. Roger and Betty Sue De Jong were united in marriage on Jan. 2, 1964, at Sully First Reformed Church where her parents, Arthur Garret and Margaret Pearl (Monsma) De Jong, were members. Roger and Betty located on her parents’ farm near Galesburg where they raised their two sons, Terry Allan and Kent Allan.
Roger began his craft as a mechanic at 16 as an apprentice at a Prairie City shop, until graduation when he was hired by Axtell Ford in Newton. He returned to the Prairie City community as co-owner, and later as owner, of Prairie City Motors and served as a volunteer firefighter. Roger later was a mechanic at Prairie City Concrete and drove semi-trailer-truck for Contract Transport delivering Cen-Pe-Co lubricants and USPS mail. Roger’s last employer was The Underground, till his last day, to which he rode his motorcycle, including a morning, not many years ago, when he collided with a deer at highway speed. (The two laid next to each for a time, before both stumbled up and carried on with the day.)
Roger loved riding motorcycles and took pride in taking his family on weekend trips with friends and on annual camping vacations with the motorcycle and sidecar. The Black Hills and Sturgis Rally were favorites as were many of the National Parks. Roger mostly rode Harleys and BMWs that he restored, swapping parts and stories with people at swap meets.
Roger received great satisfaction working with his hands on cars and motorcycles. Beyond learning on the parents’ farm, graduating from Prairie City High School, and working with his carpenter uncle, Roger’s skills developed from hard practice and reading; mastering his craft was a lifetime priority. At first uncertain, he quickly learned to go online 12 years ago, adding to the enjoyment, by reading and seeing what others were doing. From a strong Dutch family, Roger was very pragmatic and his work utilitarian, but in the last few years he became more artistic, restoring award-winning vintage cars and building model engines.
Roger’s family includes Betty, wife of 57 years; Terry and Kent, their sons, and their sons’ families: Terry and Terri (Gutch) Vander Velden of Oskaloosa and their children Alex and Chris Vance, and Charles Vander Velden; and Kent and Melinda (Van Zante) Vander Velden of Johnston and their son Liam. Roger also leaves his beloved centenarian mother Henrietta Vander Velden of Newton, younger brother Marvin (Melinda) Vander Velden of Pleasant Hill, and brothers- and sisters-in-law: Clarence L. De Jong of Sully, Larry and Beverly Stravers of Prairie City, and Darlene Hyslope of West Des Moines.
Roger was preceded in death by his father Bastian Vander Velden, brother Gary Vander Velden, and an infant brother.
We have lost the person whom we could call who could fix anything. Roger’s memory will be cherished by his family and those he has worked with. Roger’s labor will persist in everything he has built and repaired.
