Curtis Frederick Van Veldhuizen

Curtis Frederick Van Veldhuizen, beloved brother and friend to many, passed away February 26, 2025 after a brief courageous battle with cancer. Curtis had a love for life that was witnessed by those who met him. His infectious laugh and big presence will be dearly missed, though we are all blessed and thankful for the time that Curtis was part of our lives.

Curtis was born April 29, 1955 in Sheldon, Iowa to Edward Van Veldhuizen and Helen Jeannette Witter, the third of four children. The family moved to Mason City in 1960 where they resided for three years, then moved to Storm Lake to be close to his maternal grandparents.

He attended the Storm Lake Community Schools starting in the third grade and graduated from Storm Lake High School in 1973, where he participated in choir, marching band and football. Curtis had fond memories of his school days and stayed connected to classmates throughout the years. He always looked forward to his class reunions.

After graduation, he attended Northwest Missouri State University and was a member of the Alpha Kappa Lambda fraternity. This is where his love of The Spinners began and ‘The Rubberband Man’ became his signature song! He majored in Business Administration and graduated in 1977.

Curtis moved to Des Moines where he had a long and successful career in corporate insurance. He joined Kirke-Van Orsdel, Inc. and considered that his dream job where he flourished as an account executive. He eventually retired from Holmes Murphy. Curtis devoted forty years of his life to the insurance industry where he had countless opportunities to travel around the world. In his travels he would occasionally be mistaken for NBA Coach Pat Riley of the LA Lakers. Demonstrating unwavering commitment and integrity, his clients would call Curtis directly before contacting the insurance company. Curtis always knew his top priority was to take care of his clients and protect their interests.

He gave freely of his time and wanted to help in any manner, including financially, to causes important to him. Curtis joined the DMACC Foundation Board in 1989 serving in many leadership roles, including Vice President, President and Past President. He was instrumental in promoting and leading their fund- raising efforts. During his years on the DMACC board he became passionate about helping students in need achieve their education. Curtis understood the importance of a scholarship and the value it provided. He believed in giving back to the community by serving or providing financial support. His legacy will be remembered as someone who did good work! In addition, Curtis was active in Big Brothers Big Sisters where he positively impacted young men’s lives along with being involved with The Variety Club Children’s Charity.

Curtis lived life to the fullest and loved to entertain while being the life of any party and usually the last to leave. He would spend weeks preparing for his annual Kentucky Derby party and annual Boys’ Weekend to ensure everyone had a memorable time. The boys’ weekend with close friends Ed, Sean and Huston went on without a miss for 25 years, where they spent hours playing pitch, golf and enjoying their cigars. This also included hitting Curtis’s favorite watering holes, something he absolutely loved.

Time with family was always cherished. A special memory for all was the family cruise that Curtis planned with his parents and siblings/spouses in 1985. True to his character, where he seldom met a stranger, Curtis formed a bantering friendship with the wine steward at the evening dinner table.

Curtis was a devoted and loyal friend. For those who called Curtis a friend, they were welcomed into his life giving many the opportunity to meet others who they would have otherwise never met and became a part of his large nucleus of friends. He was considered family by several of his closest friends and would frequently be invited on family vacations.

Welcoming Curtis into heaven with open arms are his beloved parents, Ed and Helen Van Veldhuizen and brother-in-law, Bob Payton.

Left to cherish his memory are his siblings, Carol Payton of Liberty, Missouri, Tom (Jill) Van Veldhuizen of Cedar Falls and Judy (Dave) Ploeger of Linden; his nieces and nephews, Susan (Ernie) Pither, Jill Payton and fiancé Adam Ciaccio, Tony (Robyn) Ploeger, Jeff (Allison) Payton, Peggy Ploeger, Bryan (Allie) Van Veldhuizen and Kristen (Bobby) Varian; along with great-nieces, nephews and cousins; special friends of 35 years who were continually by Curtis’s side, Ed and Angela Wilson, Gary and Sue Kirke, George and Tiffany Cataldo, Sheri Horner, and countless more; and recent friend Lisa Fellman. To all of the many friends who meant so much to Curtis, we are very thankful and grateful for your friendships over the years.

We express our sincere thank you to the wonderful staff at the Kavanagh House for their compassionate care given to Curtis over his final days.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be donated to DMACC Foundation, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Iowa, or EveryStep Kavanagh House in Curtis’s name.

In our memories and in our hearts, love lasts forever.

Please join family for a Celebration of Life event on Saturday, March 22, 2025, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., with a time of sharing at 2:00 p.m., at Glen Oaks Country Club; 1401 Glen Oaks Drive, West Des Moines, Iowa.

Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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