In Loving Memory of Father Herman Veltman 1919 - 2008

Reverend Father Herman Joseph Veltman passed away quietly with his sister at his side on March 11, 2008, four days short of his 89th birthday, at William Albert Nursing Home in Emerald Park Sask.

Reverend Herman Joseph Veltman was born in Den Bosch, Holland on March 15, 1919, to Herman and Maria Veltman(Deckes), one of two sons to enter the preisthood. Father Herman came to Canada to finish his studies for the preisthood answering a call for religious persons and was ordained to the priesthood of the Roman Catholic Church on May 31, 1947 in Regina.

The bishop then sent him to Vibank as Curate and then as preist. He then served the church at Pangman, Lake Alma, Weyburn,and then his first posting to Windthorst in 1960. After a successful fund raising drive he spearheaded the building of a new church. In 1969 the Bishop sent Father to Langenberg Parish where he repeated this accomplishment. Radville was Father’s next assignment where they renovated the church a great deal to make it more functional. In the early ninties he requested from the bishop a transfer back to Windthorst to serve the people into his retirement.

After a period of homesickness and adjustment he fell in love with the land and its people always making long lasting friends at each location. Father Veltman became a Canadian citizen in the early ninteen fifties because of this attraction to his new home.

In 1963 his sister Josephine moved to Canada after the passing of their parents to serve as Father’s houskeeper and bring a little of Holland to him. This made him very happy and they have been together ever since, travelling back to Holland several times.

Father Veltman is survived by his sisters Josephine Veltman and Mary Van Doremallen; Brother-in-law Kees Elsendorn of Holland and several nieces and nephews and their Families.

Funeral arrangments by Tubman Funeral Home of Wolseley, who as usual, were very helpful in planning every detail needed to make this day run smoothly, special thanks to Wes Banbury.

A beautiful ceremony of his new life was celebrated at St Pius Parish, Windthorst, Sask. beginning with Prayers on Sunday March 16th at 7:30 with Fr. Joe Strohhofer and Monseignor Ken Miller of Regina. Fr Joe gave an enlightening homily.

Gerard Hengen presented the K of C prayer and certificate to Josephine.

On Monday March 17th at 10:30 am. the funeral mass was celebrated by Archbishop Daniel J. Bohan, concelebrating with 16 priests of the Archdiocese of Regina: Fr. Joe Strohhofer, Fr. Pat Murphy, Fr. Tony Dizy, Fr. Ron Andree, Fr. Francis Hengen, former Pastors; Fr. Albert Schmitz and Fr. Joe Frey. Fr. Ed Hengen joined the choir and sang the Psalms which added to the celebration.

Windthorst Knights of Columbus served as casket bearers and Knights of the District formed an Honour Guard.

The St.Pius choir provided the lovely music with excellent song selection suiting this special celebration.

Several young people of the parish took time from their studies to serve at the altar for the Bishop and Priests.

Readers were Ray Andreas and Denise Swallow. Fr. Pat Murphy gave a beautiful homily on the life of Fr. Herman Veltman.

Dolores Fehr and Cecile Choquette took up the offering of gifts.

For the Recessional hymn we played the tape: Het lied van de Zoete Lieve Vrouw van Den Bosch, which was one of Father Veltman`s favorite hymns.

Following interment at R.C. Cemetery, Lunch and refreshments were served in the auditorium by the St Pius Ladies.

On behalf of Josephine, we would like to express our gratitude to all for taking an active role in Father Veltman`s Life Celebration.