Agnes Van Zee-Damkot

Rock Valley, IA: Agnes Nelva Van Zee-Damkot, 94, of Rock Valley, Iowa, died Tuesday, August 31, 2021 at Whispering Heights in Rock Valley. Funeral services will be held Saturday, September 4, at 2:30 PM at Porter Funeral Home of Rock Valley with Rev. Gideon Wamala officiating. Burial will follow at Valley View Cemetery of Rock Valley. Visitation will be held prior to the funeral from 1:00-2:00 PM, Saturday, at Porter Funeral Home. Memorials may be given to Rock Valley Christian School.

Agnes Nelva Van Zee-Damkot, daughter of August and Alice (Kragt) Katje, was born March 19, 1927 at Orange City, Iowa. She was raised in Orange City and attended Orange City Christian School and Orange City High School. Agnes married Alvin “Kooze” Van Zee on April 20, 1948. They made their home in Rock Valley, Iowa where Alvin worked and was a partner at Rock Valley Cement, Block & Tile. Alvin died August 14, 1966.

On November 13, 1981, Agnes married Warren Damkot. The couple lived in Tenstrike, Minnesota where they owned and operated Birch Haven Campground. Agnes and Warren loved fishing, golfing, and playing shuffleboard. They wintered in Weslaco, Texas. Warren died March 23, 2002. Agnes remained living in Minnesota for the summers and Texas in the winters for several years.

Agnes moved to the Christian Retirement Home in Sheldon, Iowa. While there she enjoyed playing cards, fixing puzzles and visiting with others. She also enjoyed being around her children and grandchildren. In 2017 she moved to Aspen Heights in Hull, Iowa. In May 2021 Agnes moved to Whispering Heights in Rock Valley.

She is survived by her 3 children, Dennis (Diane) Van Zee of Rock Valley, Ruth Van Zee of Denver, Colorado, David Van Zee of Hamilton, Michigan; daughter-in-law, Denise Van Zee of Clarksville, Tennessee; step-daughter, Susan Smith of Sheboygan, Wisconsin; 9 grandchildren; 2 step-grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; 4 step-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Agnes was preceded in death by her parents, August and Alice; husbands, Alvin Van Zee and Warren Damkot; son, Randy Van Zee; brothers, Frank Katje and Gerald Katje; sister, Agnes Ruth Katje; and sisters-in-law, Edna Katje and Louise Katje.