Dixie Van Zee
Dixie Van Zee
Dixie Diane Van Zee, 58, of Gibson, died Thursday, October 20, 2011, at the Hospice Serenity House in Oskaloosa, after a long battle with breast cancer. She was born June 3, 1953, at Fort Madison, the daughter of Larry and Wanda Stanley Hawkins. She graduated from the Vinton High School with the class of 1971. She earned her A.A. degree from A.I.B. in Des Moines. On June 25, 1977, she was united in marriage to Steve Van Zee at Vinton, Iowa. Early on she worked as a legal secretary at law firms in Vinton and Cedar Rapids. She later worked for South Central Mental Health for nearly 10 years. She was currently working for Family Medical Center in Oskaloosa. Dixie made her family and her faith the center of her life. She treasured time she spent with her family, her grandchildren held a very special place in her heart. She always anticipated, with much excitement, family camping trips to Rocky Mountain National Park. Dixie lived her faith through daily devotions each evening and attending Gateway Church of the Nazarene in Oskaloosa.
Her family includes her husband Steve Van Zee of Gibson; two sons and their wives: Joshua and Kristin Van Zee of Oskaloosa and Heath and Samantha Van Zee of Cedar Rapids; a daughter and her husband: Ashley and Michael Reif of Montezuma; two grandchildren: Trenton Van Zee and Dayton Reif; her mother: Wanda Hawkins-Klotz of Gibson; a sister and her husband: Shelley and Paul Matzen of Round Rock, Texas.
Dixie was preceded in death by her father; and a sister: Joy Hawkins Brown.
A memorial service will be held Monday, October 24, 2011, at 11 a.m. in the Gateway Church of the Nazarene in Oskaloosa with Reverend Ralph Sprunk officiating. As was Dixie’s wish her body has been cremated. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Visitation will begin Sunday afternoon after 1 p.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel and the family will be at the funeral chapel from 2-4 Sunday afternoon to greet friends and relatives. Memorials may be made to Keokuk County Hospice or the Infusion Center at Mahaska Health Partnership.
