Gerald John Van Der Vliet

Gerald Van Der Vliet, age 94, of Colton, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his family on Saturday, May 9, 2026. Funeral services will begin at 10:30 AM Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at Faith Community Church in Colton. Interment will be in the Colton Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-7:30 PM Tuesday, at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Faith Community Church, Colton Cemetery, or Taopi Hall.

Gerald John Van Der Vliet was born on a farm northeast of Colton on October 6, 1931, to Evert and Wilhelmina (Van Hunnik) Van Der Vliet. He attended Washington Country School in Buffalo Township. After his schooling he worked for many area famers until he was drafted into the United States Army in 1952. Following his honorable discharge, he married his sweetheart, Ethel Berdyne Visser on September 7, 1954, at the Christian Reformed Church in Colton. They lived for six months with Ethel’s parents until the Van Der Vliet farm was available in March. They lived on the farm for 40 years and raised their family. They moved into Colton in 1995, where Gerald lived until his death.

Gerald spent most of his life farming in the Colton area. He drove feed truck for Colton Feed Service, and he also drove bus for 20 years for Foreman Bus at Tri-Valley School where he picked up many of his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Gerald, along with Ethel, were custodians and door keepers at Taopi Hall for 23 years. Gerald also served his community on the Colton Cemetery Board and Colton Community Housing. He was a lifelong member of the Faith Community Church in Colton where he served as a deacon and he enjoyed his old time gospel music.

Gerald and Ethel always took time for family vacations. Their favorite place to go was to the Black Hills of South Dakota. They made numerous trips there over the years and even made one last trip one year ago last June. But his favorite trip was when they drove to Alaska.

In retirement in Colton, they loved their yard at home where they would watch and feed the birds and enjoy nature. They also enjoyed going out for breakfast or noon lunches at the Chester Café. But most of all, Gerald’s family was the most important thing in his life…especially his wife, Ethel. He always said he had the best wife (who also was a great farm wife). He always enjoyed coffee time after Sunday morning services where 25-30 of his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great great grandchildren would gather.

Survivors include his wife of 71 years, Ethel of Colton; children: Rod (Lois) Van Der Vliet, Colton, Rhonda DeJong, Hartford, Mark (Kay) Van Der Vliet, Colton, Paul (Pam) Van Der Vliet, Ward, Debbie (Brian) Helwig, Upton, Wyoming, and Dave (Kelli) Van Der Vliet, Colton, 21 grandchildren, 42 great grandchildren (and one on the way), and four great great grandchildren (and one on the way); he was also survived by his sister-in-law, Bernice Wrage, Dell Rapids, and two bonus grandchildren, Quinn and Maverick Bunde; and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, in-laws Weep and Alice Visser, two grandchildren, Justin Jay and Camie Jo Van Der Vliet, a great granddaughter, Emma L. Jellis; brother, Harold (Betty) Van Der Vliet and sisters, Tena (Hank) Burgers and Marie (Frank J.) Reurink.

The family would like to give special thanks to Avera Home Hospice Care team for all the love and kindness shown to Gerald and his family.