Greta Magdalene Van Zee

January 25, 1930 - December 14, 2014

Greta Magdalene Van Zee of Knoxville, Iowa died on December 14, 2014 of complications from dementia. She was 84 years old. She had been a resident of Westridge Nursing Center since May 2013. Greta was born on January 25, 1930 in Malcolm, Iowa, the daughter of Ray and Lydia (Seigel) Nelson. She graduated from Brooklyn High School. She attended Central College in Pella, Iowa where she met her husband of 62 years, Dean Van Zee, and graduated in 1951. On August 3, 1952 she and Dean were married in Brooklyn, Iowa. She taught seventh grade in Nora Springs and Coon Rapids, Iowa. She worked at the VA Hospital in Knoxville in Rehabilitation Services before becoming a full-time mother. She was leader of the Peppi Pals 4H club for many years, and was active at First Presbyterian church in her women's circle and as a member of the choir. She will be remembered for her lovely soprano voice. After her children were grown she worked at De Jong Floral in Pella, Iowa. Greta was known among family and friends for her quick wit. Her family has many stories of her funny expressions and snappy comebacks. She joked with the staff of Westridge until nearly the end of her life. She loved watching birds and wildlife on the farm she shared with Dean for nearly 60 years, and especially loved visits from her children and 9 grandchildren. She is survived by husband Dean, daughter Lesley and grandchildren Eric, Emily and Evan of Eau Claire, WI, son Dennis, his wife Angie and grandchildren Sarah, Brett and Kirsten, of Durand, Il, and son Marty, his wife Beth and grandchildren Kali, Hannah and Sophia of Des Moines. She is also survived by one sister, Anna Kroszner of Furlong, PA and by many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Raymond and Fred, sister Lenora, and infant grandson Carl Van Zee. A celebration of the life of Greta Van Zee will be held at 11:30am on Monday, December 29th at First Presbyterian Church in Knoxville. Visitation will be from 10:30-11:30am at the church. Donations may be made in Greta's memory to First Presbyterian Church in Knoxville. Her family wishes to thank the staff of Westridge Nursing Center, Dr. Dale Vander Broek, Dr. Brent Hoehns, Hospice of Central Iowa, and the staff of Knoxville Community Hospital.