Dean Edward Van Zee
February 19, 1926 — February 14, 2018
Dean Edward Van Zee of Knoxville, Iowa died on February 14, 2018. He was born February 19, 1926 to Carl and Carol (Kading) Van Zee in Pleasantville, Iowa. He was the third of four boys in the family and grew up on the family farm south of Pleasantville. He graduated from Pleasantville High School and attempted to enlist in the US Army but was 4F after losing his left index finger in an accident at age 9. The third time he hitchhiked to St. Louis to enlist in 1945, he was accepted and served 2 years including credit for serving “overseas” when he was deployed in Fairbanks, Alaska (prior to statehood).
Dean returned to attend Central College, where he studied physical education and was the starting fullback on the football team. He also played basketball, but lost favor with the coach when he tried shooting jump shots like the players in the military instead of the more traditional set shots of the time. Dean met and married his wife of 62 years, Greta Nelson, “the best thing that ever happened to me” on August 3, 1952. Dean taught school in northern Iowa for two years prior to “getting on” at the VAMC in Knoxville, Iowa where he became the director of the Department of Recreation. Dean and Greta moved to Knoxville and lived in town prior to buying a 120 acre farm east of Knoxville in 1964, where he lived for 51 years. He retired from the VA in 1982 to devote more time to his second full time job, farming.
Dean enjoyed farming, bird-watching, turkey hunting and visits from his grandchildren. He was a 4H leader, referee, kids' sports coach, dog trainer, self-taught mechanic and home repairman, gardener, welder and woodworker. He lived his life with integrity, practiced soil conservation and loved wildlife preservation.
He is survived by daughter Lesley of Eau Claire, Wisconsin and grandchildren Eric, Emily and Evan; son Dennis and his wife Angie of Durand, Illinois and grandchildren Sarah, Brett and Kirsten; son Martin of Des Moines, Iowa and grandchildren Kali, Hannah and Sophie. He was preceded in death by his wife Greta, parents, brothers Charles, Howard and Bob, and infant grandson Carl Van Zee.
Memorials may be directed to First Presbyterian Church of Knoxville or the National Wild Turkey Federation. His family wishes to thank his physician Brent Hoehns and the staff of Knoxville Hospital, Westridge and Homestead.
Dean returned to attend Central College, where he studied physical education and was the starting fullback on the football team. He also played basketball, but lost favor with the coach when he tried shooting jump shots like the players in the military instead of the more traditional set shots of the time. Dean met and married his wife of 62 years, Greta Nelson, “the best thing that ever happened to me” on August 3, 1952. Dean taught school in northern Iowa for two years prior to “getting on” at the VAMC in Knoxville, Iowa where he became the director of the Department of Recreation. Dean and Greta moved to Knoxville and lived in town prior to buying a 120 acre farm east of Knoxville in 1964, where he lived for 51 years. He retired from the VA in 1982 to devote more time to his second full time job, farming.
Dean enjoyed farming, bird-watching, turkey hunting and visits from his grandchildren. He was a 4H leader, referee, kids' sports coach, dog trainer, self-taught mechanic and home repairman, gardener, welder and woodworker. He lived his life with integrity, practiced soil conservation and loved wildlife preservation.
He is survived by daughter Lesley of Eau Claire, Wisconsin and grandchildren Eric, Emily and Evan; son Dennis and his wife Angie of Durand, Illinois and grandchildren Sarah, Brett and Kirsten; son Martin of Des Moines, Iowa and grandchildren Kali, Hannah and Sophie. He was preceded in death by his wife Greta, parents, brothers Charles, Howard and Bob, and infant grandson Carl Van Zee.
Memorials may be directed to First Presbyterian Church of Knoxville or the National Wild Turkey Federation. His family wishes to thank his physician Brent Hoehns and the staff of Knoxville Hospital, Westridge and Homestead.
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