Kevin VanVelson

Kevin Charles Van Velson, 67 formerly of Ogallala, Nebraska, died July 29,2025 in Tokyo, Japan.

Kevin was born September 13, 1958 in St. Charles, Missouri. His parents were Edward L. Van Velson and Beverly A. (Sieck) Van Velson. Shortly thereafter the family moved to Lincoln, Nebraska to be closer to Bev’s family and remained there until moving to Ogallala, Nebraska in July, 1969 and were closer to Ed’s family. Kevin graduated from Ogallala High School in 1976 and went to work. He attended Kearney State College after injuring his back in a work-related incident.

Kevin married Susan Nelson in 1981 but that marriage ended in divorce. He married Robin Fleming in 1986 and they welcomed daughters Elizabeth and Kathryn to their family while living in Greeley, Colorado. Kevin and Robin were also divorced.

Kevin worked very hard when he was able to do so, but he had health issues related to his original back injury and other later work related injuries. He was a landscaper, carpenter, builder and remodeler; he considered himself an entrepreneur. He could work with his head and hands when his injuries and health conditions hampered his ability to do the physical work he enjoyed.

In 2002 he was running his own construction company, working alone on a pitched roof, when he fell to the ground, causing serious injuries and long-term health issues. Numerous surgeries followed to repair damage to his back, neck, knees, elbows and wrists. After this injury Kevin was unable to work, eventually qualifying for disability payments from the U.S. government in 2006.

Driven by a strong desire to succeed and his love for people in need, Kevin was vulnerable to scam artists and con men. For more than 10 years he sent a portion of his disability check to various causes (such as helping children in orphanages in Africa), certain in his own mind that each cause was legitimate. Unfortunately, not all of the causes he supported were legitimate.

His greatest joy came from working and singing in the church. Kevin was a fine vocalist and performed with several select groups in college and in later years. He was a favorite soloist for weddings and funerals and special services, especially at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Ogallala, Nebraska where he had grown up and where he was loved and appreciated by many as an adult.

Kevin lived with and cared for his parents for many years. After Bev died in 1991 Kevin lived with Ed on and off until caring for him full time from 2006 until his death in 2014. After Ed’s death Kevin lived in Ogallala in a public-assistance housing complex apartment but moved out

in 2017 before he traveled to the Philippines to meet a woman he had met online.

When he returned from the Philippines he was basically homeless, sleeping on the couch of a friend in Greeley, Colorado, until he was recruited and groomed for the scam that sent him to Africa, Scandinavia, Paris and Amsterdam before he wound up in Tokyo, Japan. He left Denver on his journey on April 30, 2019.

Kevin was arrested at Customs at the Tokyo airport June 7, 2019. He was in custody from that time until he woke up in heaven on July 28, 2025.

Kevin is survived by his daughters, Elizabeth J. Feldhaus and Kathryn A. Steward, and their children; his brothers, Glenn, Alan and Carlin, and their families, and numerous aunts and cousins.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 20,2025 at 10:00 am in Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church in Ogallala,  with  Rev. Timothy Steele II. officiating.  Inurnment will be in the Ogallala Cemetery.

online Condolences may be left by going to www.drauckerfh.com.

Services will be live-streamed and can be watched by going to www.drauckerfh.com.

Draucker Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements