In Memory

Joyce Elaine Van Leeuwen (Veldman)

Joyce Elaine Van Leeuwen (Veldman)

Joyce Van Leeuwen Veldman, Joyce Elaine, age 71 of Burnsville Minnesota, went home to be with her Lord and Savior in the early morning hours of January 28, 2018. A loving wife, mother, grandmother and teacher, Joyce died from an aggressive lung cancer first diagnosed in August 2017. She has been on home hospice care the last six weeks. Joyce was born on June 1, 1946 in Bellingham, WA, to Roy and Jeannette (Adema) Van Leeuwen. She lived in Lynden, WA during her grade school years where she attended Lynden Christian School. The family moved to Spokane, WA where she graduated from Lewis and Clark High School. Joyce graduated from Dordt College in Sioux Center, IA. There, she met Heiko and they married in August 1969. Joyce earned Master of Arts degrees in teaching from Whitworth College in Spokane, WA and Mankato State University, MN. Joyce had a love of teaching and interacting with students. She taught for many years at Tartan High School in Maplewood. After finding retirement not to her liking, she taught the last 10 years at Apple Valley High School. Joyce continued to teach after her diagnosis and her final day of teaching was November 14, 2017. Joyce was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her husband of 48 years, Heiko; daughter Heidi (Jonathan) Van Hulzen of Apple Valley, son Mark (Sara) Veldman of Edina and six grandchildren: Connor, Elianna and Truman Van Hulzen, Henry, Anna Belle and Joseph Veldman; sisters Dodie Perry of Bellingham, WA, Marlene (Marlin) Dorhout of Denver, CO and Linda (Bruce) Bonnema of Arvada, CO. Funeral Services will be held Friday, February 2, at 4 pm at Calvary Christian Reformed Church, 5300 France Ave S, Edina. Visitation will be held from 5 7 pm Thursday, February 1 at White Funeral Home, 12804 Nicollet Ave S, Burnsville and one hour prior to the funeral service at the church. Memorials preferred to Calvary Christian Reformed Church or VEAP (Volunteers Enlisted to Assist People) a basic needs organization serving residents of Edina, Richfield, and Bloomington.