Helen Van Zee

March 28, 1925 - July 30, 2018

Helen Van Zee, 93, of Oskaloosa died Monday, July 30, 2018, at Crystal Heights Care Center in Oskaloosa. She was born on March 28, 1925 in Union Mills, Iowa the daughter of John and Arlean (McMains) Groves. She grew up in the Union Mills area. Helen attended Lacey High School. On April 14, 1944, Helen was united in marriage to Earle “Mike” Van Zee in Mahaska County. Following their marriage, she farmed with her husband Mike near Rose Hill until 1971, when they moved to an acreage south of Oskaloosa. Helen worked at Hardees in Oskaloosa. She managed the Oskaloosa Hardees for many years and was named the national Manager of the Year for her dedication to the Oskaloosa restaurant. On May 8, 2010, Mike died in Oskaloosa. Helen was a dedicated wife and mother, she delighted in caring for her family and home. She also enjoyed her time at Hardees, she was a diligent in seeing to in the restaurant was well kept and that her customers always had a pleasant experience. Her family includes two daughters and their husbands; Joyce and Mehran Ahari of Oskaloosa, and Janet Rich and Mike Harris of Galena, Illinois; a son and his wife Ken and Cynthia Van Zee of Altoona; two grandsons: Ryan and Benjamin (& Jamie) Van Zee; two great granddaughters: Abby and Ava Van Zee; and a brother Dwight “Ike” (Sue) Groves of Oskaloosa. In addition to her husband Earle “Mike” Van Zee, Helen was preceded in death by her parents: a brother, John “Buck” Groves; one sister, June Glendening. A graveside memorial service and burial for Helen will be held Monday, August 13, 2018, at 11:00 a.m. in the Forest Cemetery in Oskaloosa. Helen’s family will be at the funeral chapel on Monday morning from 9 until a procession forms at the Bates Funeral Chapel at 10:40 for those wishing to attend the graveside service. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Memorials may be made to Alzheimer’s Association.