- Date Of Birth: January 22, 1927
- Date Of Death: December 12, 2016
- State: Indiana
South Bend – Wilma Veldman, 89, passed away peacefully on Monday, December 12, 2016, surrounded by family. Wilma was born on January 22, 1927, in Vorden, the Netherlands, to Albertus and Maria Zents.
Wilma was preceded in death by Peter Veldman, her loving husband of 61 years, her daughter, Audrey, granddaughter, Allison Edmonds, and siblings, Bertus Zents, Ans Zents, Riek Nyenhuis, Mary Nyenhuis, and Jos Zents.
Wilma is survived by children, Thomas (Anita) Veldman, David (Linda) Veldman, Connie (Michael) Joines, Sharon (Matthew) Edmonds, Marcia Veldman, and Mark (Nicole Schonemann) Veldman. Also surviving Wilma are 20 grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.
Born in pre-World War II Europe, Wilma lived in and through amazing times. She married Peter Veldman in the Netherlands in 1952. Soon after their wedding Wilma joined Pete in the South Bend area, where they first lived and worked with the Sisters of St. Francis in Mishawaka. Later, they moved to the west side of South Bend and operated a variety of businesses with Pete’s siblings. In 1979, Pete and Wilma started the Tire Rack with their children, an ecommerce distributor of tires and wheels. All the while, Wilma took the lead in raising seven children and creating a welcoming home for extended family and friends. She was a life-long Notre Dame fan. Wilma will also be fondly remembered for her sense of humor, passion and generosity.
Wilma and Pete were long time, active parishioners of Holy Family Catholic Church and, later, Christ the King Catholic Church. 3545 N.
St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park 375 W. Cleveland Road
Granger, IN
