Erma Joyce Van Veldhuizen, daughter of Henry and Cornelia "Kay" Van Gilst Van Veldhuizen was born September 29, 1943, at the Mahaska County Hospital.  She attended school in Lacey up to her junior year and then merged with North Mahaska for her senior year graduating in 1961.  In High school she played in band and was also a basketball guard for the Lacey Trojanettes and North Mahaska Warhawks. She truly enjoyed playing with the team and loved competing.

Following graduation, Erma worked in Des Moines for "Look" magazine before coming back to Oskaloosa to work for Big Smith. It was during this time that she met Merle Nunnikhoven from Pella and fell in love.   On July 2, 1963, she was united in marriage to Merle in the Bethal Christian Reformed Church in Oskaloosa.   To this union they were blessed with two children:  Lori and Steven.

In the fall of 1964, they moved to the farm southeast of Pella, and she worked with Merle on the farm and raising their family.  In 1995 they moved to Pella, allowing Steve's family to move on to the family farm, but continued to help with the farming.

Merle and Erma attended church at Trinity Church in Pella for most of their married life.  It was at church that Erma rekindled her love of sewing and joined the Trinity Church Quilting Bees.  It was during this time that she perfected her talents in quilting and embroidery. She created beautiful masterpieces and that she shared with her family and many others.   She also created many Quilts of Valor and presented them to veterans from all over, including her 4 veteran brothers-in-law. As part of the church group, she cut and sewed together many quilts tops that were then completed by the group. These quilts have been donated all around southeast Iowa.

As a couple they took many trips with the motorcycle or camper, and later taking the camper to all the gospel sings.

Merle and Erma enjoyed the Iowa seasons but especially loved heading south to Apache Junction, AZ for the winter. They were blessed with over 25 years there, making many lifelong friends.   You would find them gathering to have coffee, playing cards, going out for supper or other fun events.

Erma passed away August 16,2024, at the Comfort House in Pella, after a short battle with cancer. She was 80 years, 10 months and 18 days.

Those left to cherish her memory are her husband Merle of 61 years and their family:

Lori and Robert De Jong, Leighton, IA

Kayla and Chris Schwebach, Byron, MN

Kohlton, Quinn

Carley and Danny Van Hal, Leighton, IA

Benjamin, Austin, Emerson

Alexis De Jong, Waterloo, IA

Steven and Lynn Nunnikhoven, Pella, IA

Mitchel and Taylor Nunnikhoven, Pella, IA

Zachary Nunnikhoven, Pella, IA

Abbie Nunnikhoven, Ankeny, IA

She is also survived by her sister Mary Van De Kieft of Eddyville, brother Marvin and Judy Van Veldhuizen of Oskaloosa, sisters-in-law: Rosemary Van Veldhuizen and Linda Van Veldhuizen both of Oskaloosa; brothers and sisters-in-law: Lee Spencer of Carlisle, Anthony Jr. and JoAnn Nunnikhoven of Waukee, IA,, Gerald Nunnikhoven and friend Betty Van Genderen; and Dorothy Nunnikhoven, all of Pella.

Erma was preceded in death by her parents Henry and Cornelia Van Veldhuizen, parents-in-law Anthony Sr. and Bertha Nunnikhoven, brothers: Ronald Van Veldhuizen, Dale Van Veldhuizen, and Larry Van Veldhuizen; sister Caryl Spencer, brothers and sisters-in-law: Gerald "Gene" Van De Kieft, Abe and Esther Nunnikhoven, Martin and Leona Nunnikhoven, Marvin "Gene" and Dorothy Nunnikhoven, Wilbur Nunnikhoven, and Delores Nunnikhoven.

Hospice of Pella - Day of Care
Pella IA

Riverside Church
Knoxville IA