Sophia "Sophie" Van Zee

Rock Valley, IA: Sophia Van Zee, 102, of Rock Valley, Iowa, died Thursday, March 8, 2018 at Whispering Heights in Rock Valley. Memorial services will be held Saturday, March 17 at 11:00 AM at First Reformed Church of Rock Valley with Rev. Verlyn Boone officiating. Burial will be held prior to the memorial service at Valley View Cemetery of Rock Valley. Visitation will be held at the church on Saturday, before the committal service, from 9:00-10:00 AM.

Sophia was born December 29, 1915 on a farm near Carnes, Iowa, daughter of Cornelius and Maggie (Scheeringa) Siebersma. Sophie grew up on this farm and attended country school through 8th grade. She enjoyed working with her dad on the farm but also had a variety of jobs in town. Two of her favorite were being the cook at the Orange City Hospital and working at Geselschap Drug Store in Orange City. During WWII Sophie worked in personnel at Douglas Aircraft in California. She was also honored to be on the Tulip Queen Court in 1941.

On June 12, 1947, she married Richard E. Van Zee in Orange City, IA. They made their home in Rock Valley, IA where they raised their 3 daughters. Sophie thoroughly enjoyed being a wife and mother. She was a great cook and baker. She loved gardening, bowling, golfing, knitting & crocheting. She was an active member of First Reformed Church where she sang in the choir, helped with Bible School and participated in the women’s ministries. After Rich’s retirement they enjoyed 20 years of winters in Arizona with family & friends. Rich passed away on March 17, 1993. In 2000 Sophie moved into 4 Seasons and in 2010 moved into Whispering Heights. She loved her caregivers and many of them thought of her as “their” grandma Sophie.

Sophie accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior early in life and sought to live for Him and share His love and grace with others. She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. She now rests from her earthly labors and is safe in the arms of her Lord.

Sophie is survived by her 3 daughters, 7 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren. Daughter and son-in-law Mary & Kelly Daughters of Sioux Falls, SD, their daughter Susan Zebell and fiancé Casey Abass of Sioux Falls, SD. Daughter and son-in-law Shirlee and Randy Porter of Rock Valley, IA, their son and daughter-in-law Darin and Allison Porter of Brandon, SD, daughter and son-in-law Tracy and Nick Happold of Doniphan, NE, son and daughter-in-law Joshua and Molly Porter of Monument, CO. Daughter and son-in-law Debra and David Reinke of Rock Valley, IA, their son and daughter-in-law Heath and Jen Reinke of Sioux Falls, SD, son and daughter-in-law Lance and Anna Reinke of St. Charles, IL, son and daughter-in-law Blake and Jodi Reinke of Spirit Lake, IA. She is also survived by 2 sisters, Edna Katje of Orange City, IA, Marilyn Faber of Escondido, CA, one brother and sister-in-law JR and Audrey Siebersma of Orange City, IA, one sister-in-law Agnes Van Zee of Hull, IA and many nieces and nephews.

Sophie was preceded in death by her parents, husband, son-in-law Stanley Bott, grandsons David Bott and Christopher Bott, sisters and brothers-in-law Lucille and Elmer Vande Brake, Hermina and Nelson Muilenburg, Marjorie and Elmer Hofland, brothers and sisters-in-law Steve and Lois Siebersma, Stanley and Nelvy Siebersma, brothers-in-law Chet Faber, Frank Katje and 2 step fathers.

Visitation

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM ,Saturday, March 17, 2018
Rock Valley First Reformed Church
1501 16th Street Rock Valley, Iowa, Sioux 51247

Memorial Service

11:00 AM ,Saturday, March 17, 2018
Rock Valley First Reformed Church
1501 16th Street Rock Valley, Iowa, Sioux 51247