Ronald Bryce Van Weelden, 84, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026, leaving behind a life rooted in family, faith, hard work, and the land he loved. Funeral service was at 10 a.m., Monday, Aug. 24, at Newton Church of the Way. Interment was in Silent City Cemetery, Monroe.
Ron was born July 27, 1942, in Pella, the son of Dick and Anna Elizabeth (Van Wyk) Van Weelden. He graduated from Lynnville-Sully High School in 1960 and went on to devote his life to agriculture. Ron was united in marriage with Sandra Kay Willemsen on Sept. 18, 1962, in Otley. They were married for 51 years. She would precede him in death. He later married Marilyn Anderson on Dec. 10, 2017, at Wittenberg Church. Farming was more than a profession to Ron — it was a way of life. For decades, he worked the land, raising crops and livestock and carrying on the traditions of the family farm. He took pride in the hard work, early mornings, changing seasons, and rewards that came with being a farmer. Throughout his working career, Ron also worked as a local milk man, and had worked for Van Weelden Construction and also for Parsons Company.
Ron was also proud of his service to his country. He served in the United States Navy with the NCB9 Seabees in Vietnam and was honorably separated from service Oct. 30, 1968. He remained connected to his fellow veterans through his involvement with the Fred Slayden Post 363 of the American Legion.
Faith was an important part of Ron’s life. He was associated with Church of the Way and attended Cowboy Church in Newton. He was also involved with the Red Rock Threshers. Ron’s greatest pride, however, was his family. He also loved hunting, fishing, and wintering in Arizona.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Sandra Kay Van Weelden; his brother Harley Van Weelden; his mother-in-law and father-in-law Joe and Martha Willemsen; and a brother-in-law Henry Willemsen.
Those left to cherish Ron’s memory include his wife Marilyn Van Weelden; his children Bryce (Susan) Van Weelden and Brent (Amanda) Van Weelden and Myla (Jeff) Case; seven grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; eight great-great-grandchildren; Marilyn’s family - her sons, Chris (Jody) Anderson and Jason (Brenda) Anderson, four grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter; Ron's sisters Verna (Art) Zylstra and Marsha Steenhoek; his brothers Dwight (Jerilyn) Van Weelden and Curt (Amy) Van Weelden; and sister-in-law Norma Van Weelden; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.
Ron will be remembered as a lifelong farmer who understood the value of perseverance and never shied away from hard work. He found purpose in caring for the land, raising his family, serving his country, and being part of the rural community, he called home.
His legacy will live on in the fields he worked, the family he loved, and the many lives he touched along the way. He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.
