Peter Cornelus Van Schelt, our dear father, opa, brother and friend, went home to a loving Father in Heaven and to his beloved wife, Mitzie, on her birthday, August 10, 2017. He died of natural causes.
Peter was born on April 27, 1929 in Dordrecht, Netherlands to Jacob Van Schelt and Bastiaanjte VanDerWaal Van Schelt. As a teenager, Peter experienced World War II where he witnessed the many travesties that war brings. Some years later, he was a sailor in the DutchRoyal Navy in Indonesia. With his great love for the USA and his LDS faith, Peter immigrated from The Netherlands to the United States, with \"nothing but $5.00 in his pocket and a hole in his sock\". Once in Utah, he met the loveof his life, his young, Dutch Sweetheart, Mitzie Emo. On December 12, 1952 Peter and Mitzie were married in the Salt Lake Temple for time and all eternity.
By trade, Peter was a sausage maker for several decades. He was known for creating "the best bratwurst and German wieners in all of the Salt Lake Valley". Over theyears, he worked for Miller Meat Company, SiegfriedDelicatessen, and the Old Dutch Store. He was an exceptionally hard worker and was known for his positive, outgoing nature. Especially in his younger years, people always knew when Peter was coming home from work because his happy whistle preceded him. He passed his strong work ethic on to his children and taught them to be honest in everything they did. His hobby was his love for service. He loved people and would find any opportunity he could to brighten someone\s day or make their load a little lighter; whether that meant helping a person on the street with some cash, helping his sons finish up the dishes at 11 pm at their restaurant jobs, or surprising local widows with imported meats and cheeses. The list goes on and on. He loved to care for people. He welcomed everyone into his life and in turn, he was loved by all who knew him. Peter was a man of great faith and perseverance. He loved the gospel of Jesus Christ with all of his heart and shared it through his example. He lived with an eternal perspective and did not fear death. He was a living testament of giving, loving, and serving. His faith in Jesus Christ allowed him to live life to its fullest.
He is survived by his children Jack (Irene) Van Schelt, Bountiful; Pamela Qualls, Salt Lake; Perry (Lisbeth) Van Schelt, Salt Lake; and Sharon (Frank) Humphries Wuolukka, Sandy; 12 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren, 1 great-great grandchild, sister Audry Best and sister-in-law, Anne Vander Veur.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Mitzie, mother and father, sisters, Isabella Noodelijk, Lenie Demie and two sons-in-law, Michael L. Qualls and Glenn L.Humphries.
Funeral services will be held on Friday August 18, 2017 at the East Millcreek 16th Ward Chapel, 3408 South Celeste Way (3100 East). Friends may visit with the family on Thursday evening, the 17th, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the Larkin Mortuary, 260 East South Temple. And at the church, on Friday morning, from 10:00 am to 10:45 am, prior to services at 11:00 am. Interment: Larkin Sunset Lawn.
