Gail L. Veldkamp

Gail Veldkamp, 68, of Trent, SD, passed away on September 6, 2025, at her home with her family by her side, after a battle with bile duct cancer. She will be remembered for her steadfast faith, selflessness, kindness, and positivity.  Her Memorial Service will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, September 12, 2025 in The Reformed Church, Dell Rapids. Visitation with the family present will be from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 11, 2025 at The Reformed Church, Dell Rapids. A Prayer Service will begin at 7:00 p.m.

Gail Leslie Karsjens was born on March 7, 1957, in Iowa Falls, IA, to Russell and Louise (Finger) Karsjens, and grew up with 4 wonderful siblings whom she loved dearly. Her family moved to Marshalltown, IA, in 1965, and she graduated from Marshalltown High School in 1975. She attended Bethel University in St. Paul, MN, and graduated in 1979. Gail taught high school English in Marshall, MN, for 4 years. While living there she met Rick Veldkamp, and they were married on October 9, 1982. They moved in 1984 to Dell Rapids, SD, and in 1986 to a farm near Trent where she lived the remainder of her life. 

One of Gail’s goals in life was to be a mother. Rick and Gail were blessed with Nicole, who was born in 1992, and Derick, who they adopted in 1997. Gail greatly loved Nicole and Derick and was extremely proud of them.

Gail taught high school English at Flandreau High School for 21 years before retiring in 2020. During retirement, she loved to play pickleball with her friends in Flandreau. She also loved hiking, going for walks, and reading. 

A highlight of Gail’s life was serving on 2 mission trips to Haiti with United Christians International (UCI). The first was with Nicole in 2010 and the second with Derick in 2016. She had a love for the people she met there and loved helping send Christmas bags to the Haitian children each year. 

Gail was committed to her walk with Christ, and  her activities centered around that. She was a member of the Dell Rapids Reformed Church for over 40 years, where she taught Sunday School, helped with youth group, and served in many different ways. Her church family cared well for her during her battle with cancer. Gail was also active for many years with Christian Women’s Connection in Flandreau. 

Blessed to have shared her life are her husband of 42 years, Rick, daughter Nicole of Roseville, MN, and son Derick of Dell Rapids; siblings Brian (Barb) Karsjens of Plymouth, MN, Paula (Gashaw) Abebe of Pittsburgh, PA, Debra Boal of Maple Grove, MN, and Beth (Steve) Potter of Atlanta, GA; siblings in-law Glenda (Gayle) Wilts of Sioux Falls, SD, Connie (Rick) Beyer-LaLonde of Flandreau, Ken (Holly) Veldkamp of Dell Rapids, and Cindy (Dave) Schuch of Dell Rapids. 

She is preceded in death by her parents, Russ and Louise Karsjens, her parents in-law Mike and Caroline Veldkamp, and brothers-in-law Ted Boal and Ron Beyer.

In lieu of flowers, Gail would be honored by your donation to United Christians International (UCI). https://ucihaiti.org/donate  

The service will be live streamed at https://www.youtube.com/@reformedchurchofdellrapids3339/streams

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