Dorothy Van Zee
Dorothy Van Zee
Dorothy Van Zee
July 7, 1927 – June 10, 2023
Gibson, Iowa | Age 95
Dorothy Mae (Perkins) Van Zee, 95, formerly of Gibson, passed away on June 10, 2023 at the Highland Ridge Care Center in Williamsburg. Dorothy was born on July 7, 1927 in Fremont, Iowa, the daughter of Clarence and Maude (Ahrens) Perkins.
Dorothy’s life was changed forever at age 15 when her mother was killed in a car accident.
Dorothy graduated from Cedar High School in 1944 and moved to Ottumwa where she worked as a nanny in exchange for room and board while attending the Iowa Success Business School.
Her first job upon graduation was distributing war supplies and war stamps at the Safeway Grocery Store in Oskaloosa. She was soon hired as the bookkeeper at the McGregor Furniture Store, working for “Grandpa McGregor”, who taught her about fine wood and upholstered furniture, knowledge that would benefit Dorothy throughout her life.
On September 7, 1947, Dorothy married Gene Van Zee at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. They lived and worked on the family farm outside of Leighton for ten years. It was here that their three children, Steve, Robert and Rita were born.
In 1958, they moved to Gibson where Gene managed, and they later owned the Gibson Elevator. Over the years, Dorothy would often treat the elevator “loafers” to homemade goodies. She also helped with the bookwork and during harvest season could be found working in the office. Even into her 80’s, Dorothy was buying and selling loads of grain like a pro.
Dorothy and Gene built two homes in Gibson, doing all the interior finish work themselves. Dorothy’s homes were her pride and joy, where she enjoyed hosting family gatherings and where friends were always welcome. In Gibson, she was an active member of the Gibson Presbyterian Church, the Priscilla Circle and the local ladies’ group, the NOG Club.
Dorothy’s love for her family was endless. Many precious memories were made during the time spent with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. One of Dorothy’s greatest roles was that of a loving caretaker when Gene had open heart surgery at an early age. Later when Gene broke his back, she worked tirelessly to help him learn to walk again. And in Gene’s final 8 years, she devotedly cared for him before he lost his battle with Alzheimer’s in 2014. Four years later, Dorothy moved into an independent living apartment at Highland Ridge in Williamsburg where she thoroughly enjoyed meeting and making many new friends.
Dorothy is survived by her children: Steve Van Zee of Gibson, Robert (& Susan Hutchinson) Van Zee of Bloomfield, and Rita (& Phil) Striegel of Coralville; nine grandchildren: Joshua (& Kristin) Van Zee of Oskaloosa, Heath (& Samantha) Van Zee of Blairstown, Ashley (& Michael) Reif of Montezuma, Jeremy (& Stacy) Van Zee of New Sharon, Kyle (& Lindsay) Van Zee of Dexter, Kevin Van Zee of New Sharon, David (& Brooke Gifford) Striegel of Westlake Village, CA, Scott (& Miranda) Striegel of St. Anthony, MN and Katie (& Adam) Josephson of Oceanside, CA; 22 great-grandchildren, including 6 year old “little Dorothy Mae”; her sister-in-law, Martha Perkins of Ottumwa; and many special nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her daughter-in-law, Dixie Van Zee; her sisters, Irene Perkins and Marilyn (& James) Murphy; her brothers, Paul Perkins and Kenneth Perkins; her brothers-in-laws, Glen (& Harriet) Van Zee and Clarence (& June) Van Zee; and a sister-in-law, Vivian Meyers.
The family would like to thank the Highland Ridge Care Center staff and the Essence of Life Hospice team that compassionately cared for Dorothy as her health declined.
Services will be held Thursday, June 15, 2023, at 1:30 PM in the Bates Funeral Chapel in Oskaloosa with Pastor Amy McGriff officiating.
Burial will be in the Evergreen Cemetery near Leighton, Iowa following the service.
Open Visitation starts from 1:30 pm to 5:00 pm, on Wednesday, June 14, 2023, in the Bates Funeral Chapel, with the family present from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm.
Memorials may be made to Essence of Life Hospice, Amana, Iowa. Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.
To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Dorothy Van Zee please visit the Bates Funeral Chapel Sympathy Store.
