Teresa Van Zee

September 17, 1964 - November 19, 2019

Teresa Van Zee, 55, of Oskaloosa, died Tuesday, November 19, 2019 in Poweshiek County. Teresa was born September 17, 1964 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the daughter of Melton and Grace (Cooper) Fort. Teresa attended Ottumwa High School and Indian Hills Community College. On December 19, 1987, Teresa married Larry Van Zee, in Ottumwa, Iowa. In Teresa’s early career she worked as a Customer Service Representative for Color Master, Target and Walmart. She later worked her way up to becoming a District/Regional Manager for Christopher & Banks, Deb Shops, Gymboree and her current position at the Learning Care Group. She was a very talented manager and earned numerous awards. Teresa was a member of the Bethel Christian Reformed Church. She loved to travel with Larry and her family. They traveled all over the United States and abroad including Rome, France, and Spain. She is survived by her husband: Larry; son: Joe (Laura) Van Zee of Fairfield; daughter: Jessica (Aaron) Allspach of Des Moines. five grandchildren: Mackenzie Overbergen, Kaylee Gripp, Payton Van Zee, Harper Allspach, Kaden Van Zee, a little girl due next spring; her mother: Grace Fort of Oskaloosa; three brothers: Rick Fort of Ottumwa, Bill Fort of Burlington, Robert Fort of Oskaloosa; many nieces and nephews; and her mother-in-law: Nancy Van Zee of Oskaloosa. Teresa is preceded in death by her father: Melton Fort; and father-in-law: Marvin Van Zee. Funeral Services will be held Saturday, November 30, 2019 at 10:30 am in the Bethel Christian Reformed Church, in Oskaloosa with Pastor Douglas Van Der Pol officiating. Burial will be in the Forest Cemetery in Oskaloosa. Bates Funeral Chapel in in charge of the arrangements. Visitation will begin Friday, November 29, 2019 after 12:00 pm in the Bethel Christian Reformed Church and the family will be at the church from 5 - 8 Friday evening to greet friends and family. Memorials may be made to Bethel Christian Reformed Church or Alzheimer's Association.