"Dear Joy and family, We were so saddened to hear of Bruce's passing, and regret that weather in Colorado did not permit us to return in time for the funeral. We had stopped by the hospital on October 3, and kept you, Bruce, and your family in our prayers. May our Lord bless, comfort, and sustain you during this great time of loss. May His loving arms envelope you and yours in the days ahead. Lovingly, Uncle Marion, Aunt Alma Sherman"
In loving memory of
Bruce William Van Zee
December 16, 1941 - October 6, 2005
Dr. Bruce William Van Zee, one of three children of Edna (Boot) and William Van Zee, was born in Des Moines, Iowa on December 16, 1941. Bruce grew up in Prairie City, Iowa where he graduated from high school in 1960. Following school, Bruce attended Iowa State University where he was a member of the FarmHouse Fraternity.
On August 21, 1965, Bruce and Joy Elaine Beckman were married at Swede Valley Lutheran Church in Ogden, Iowa. They made their home in Ames while Bruce continued his studies. In 1966, Bruce received his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine with distinction and high honors. In July of 1966, he and Joy moved to Oakland, Iowa where Bruce partnered with Dr. Walt Christensen. In 1981, Bruce became a sole practitioner and established the Riverside Animal Hospital. In 1989, he established Van Zee Nursery.
Bruce and Joy's marriage was blessed with two children, Justin William and Angela Joy. Bruce was always a very active member of the community. He and Joy belonged to the UCC Church in Oakland where Bruce taught Sunday School and sang bass in the choir. He and Joy attended the Carson Presbyterian Church and United Methodist Church where Bruce could be found in the choir. He was an active member of Grist Mill for 30 years where he sang and performed in musicals groups, an E.M.T. and 25 year member of the Oakland Volunteer Fire Department. Bruce volunteered to plant trees along Oakland's corridor and planted 130 trees at Oaklawn Cemetery. He was a member of the Oakland School Board during the construction of the new addition. He served as President of the Oakland Shademakers, the Optimist Club, the Oakland Commercial Club, and was a member of the Industrial Foundation and Lions Club. He was a 32nd Degree Mason, a member of the Tangier Shrine, and Scottish Rite.
Bruce served as an East and West Pott. County Fair veterinarian, as well as President of the Pott. County Cattlemen's Assn. receiving the Pott. County Beef Promoter Award. He was the veterinarian for the Carson Community Rodeo and the Iowa High School Rodeo. He served as a 4-H Leader and was named the East Pott. County Friend of 4-H in 1990 and 2002. Bruce served on the Pott. County Ext. Committee, the Iowa Veterinary Examiner's Board for nine years, and in 1997 was named Iowa Veterinarian of the Year. He was a member of the Iowa Veterinary Medical Association and served on the Executive Board, the Public Relations Committee, and the Bovine Practitioner Committee. He was also a member of the IVMA, AVMA, AASV, AABP, AVC, and SWIAVA. Bruce loved his work and was featured in several ag. and trade magazines over the years.
Bruce was at work doing what he loved when he was struck by a bull. He later died as a result of his injuries at St. Joseph Hospital in Omaha, NE. Joy and Bruce had been married 40 years when Bruce died on October 6, 2005 at the age of 63. He was preceded in death by his father William; infant brother Ronald; and in-laws, Ray and Leontine Beckman.
Bruce is survived by his wife Joy Van Zee of Oakland, IA; son Justin Van Zee of Las Cruces, NM; daughter Angela Mortland and her husband John of Navarre, FL; mother Edna Van Zee of Prairie City, IA; sister Mary Pepper of Ames, IA; nieces and nephews; other relatives and many friends.
Funeral services were held on October 11, 2005 at the Oakland United Methodist Church with private interment in the Oaklawn Cemetery. Hertz Funeral Home of Carson in charge of arrangements.
Tributes
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"Joy, I just wanted you to know that Rex and I are both thinking of you at this time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I am so glad that we were able to see you and Bruce, when Carol was back, at Linda's house. This will be a very rough time for you but let those tears flow and talk to God every day as he will watch over you. Remember if you need anything at all please let us know as we will be here for you. God Bless"
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"Joy and family. I hope that god has given you the power to make it through this tough time. I hope that with the good memories of the years we had Bruce with us we can continue to be positive and enjoy life. He would want it that way. I know what it is like to lose a spouse so early in life and while it is not easy, each day becomes filled with new and different challenges. You are in my prayers. Tom Dannen"
"Please accept my deepest sympathy. Bruce was a character and a wonderful man. He was always so much fun to talk to on the phone. His humor and wit will be greatly missed. Mari Lu Larson Dvm Resources Spencer, Iowa"
"Dr. Van Zee has been a tremendous influence. I first called on him while working for IVESCO in 1992 and like many others the first thing he said was ??what do you want? Another salesman!? He was gruff but friendly on greeting which was part of his personality and such a genuine person. Please accept our heart felt sympathy. Steve and Lynne Cady"
"I had the privilege of calling on Dr. Bruce for about 5 years, for Ivesco. We had numerous breakfasts and lunches together. Dr. Bruce "What do you want?" Van Zee was always a fun call. Without fail we would discuss family, his and mine. My fondest memory is of the time he joined us for a Canadian fishing trip. Scott Hansen and I and took a group of SW Iowa Drs. to Roderick Lake, a fly-in lake in Ontario. He was a great addition to the mix, his dry sense of humor was soooo funny. I have a picture of him with a twister-tail jig hanging out of each ear, he was using them as ear plugs, the snoring was pretty intense. If you want the picture, let me know and I will send it. My deepest sympathy goes out to you. We will all miss Dr. Bruce. "
"Joy, Justin, Angie, & John, Just wanted you all to know how saddened I was to hear of Bruce's tragic death. I met Bruce only once at Angie and John's wedding celebration in Omaha, but liked him immediately, and felt I'd known him forever. Remembering how he made me laugh at that party brings a smile to my heart. Since my father is a veterinarian who works with cattle daily, I am especially affected by this. My deepest sympathy, Love, Karen Mathes"
"Dear Joy: Shirley and I are out of the state and just got an email note about Bruce. We surely send our sympathy to you and your family. You may not remember us but Bruce and I were classmates. Sincerely, Shirley and Norm Hutton"
"We were very sad to hear about our favorite vet. He always took such loving care of us when we were sick or needed a little TLC. We believe that our doc was a very special person because he could make us feel better even if we couldn't tell him where it hurt. We will miss him. Love, Tuff and Sophie "
"God Bless Bruce and his family. He will be missed by many."
"We were not well acquainted with Dr. Van Zee but nevertheless we send our sincere sympathy. A little bit of amusement, I told my husband Dr. Blohm who has been retired for four year that he could go fill in as he still maintains a license but said he didn't have malpractdice insurance--so case ended. Anyway please accept our sympathy."
"Dear Joy, Justin, & Angie, I am so sorry for your loss. Bruce was a good friend, customer, and advisor to me over the 12 years I called on him. He would always greet me with a gruff "What do you want?!" and then we'd end up talking for an hour or more. Usually about the three of you, your activities, and successes, for a good portion of the time. He was very proud of all of you and was pleased to update me on his family. I will always remember him as a standout in his profession. He was progressive and forward-thinking. He was willing to adopt new practices, if it would help his clients be more successful. Bruce and Joy were two of my favorite people to invite out for dinner whenever we were at a Veterinary Conference and the opportunity was available. I will miss him greatly. I know he left us doing what he loved and that he is at home with our Lord. May God grant each of you the strength to bear the burden of your loss. Scott Hansen Family & Friends from VetLife "
"I first met Bruce over 11 years ago when I first started covering the livestock industry for Iowa Farmer Today. Over the years, I have called on him several times while working on cattle stories, and I very much appreciated his willingness to visit with me. I came to rely on his expertise and experience, and always considered him at the top of the list when it came to veterinarians who really knew their stuff. Bruce was a super guy, and I will miss him. My prayers go out to his family during this difficult time."
"Joy, Jusin and Angie: I was shocked and saddened to learn of Bruce's untimely passing and want you to know how special he was. I was in FarmHouse with him in the early 60's and knew he was special at that time. Even though we have not kept up with each other, I have thought of him often and enjoyed every day we had together at the fraternity. A little piece of my heart is gone and his memory will live with me forever. I am so proud of what he has accomplished in his short life and he has influenced so many people. Just know there are many many people he has influenced and he was so loved by all. In love and sympathy, a FarmHouse Bother, Keith Weber"
"Bruce and I met in college as members of the same fraternity. During my senior year, both of us moved out of the house into an apartment and were roommates. We has some memorable times together. He always had a unique outlook on life which made that year a great experience. We both married and each of us participated in the other's wedding. We each had one son and one daughter. Joy and Bruce and Lorraine and I got together for a quick meal or a cup of coffee whenever our travels took us near the Oakland exit on I-80, and, during each visit, the years since graduation always melted away as we talked. Bruce will be geatly missed by all of us. Our greatest sorrow is for Joy and the great burden she now has to shoulder. Our prayers go out to her as well as Justin and Angie."
"Bruce and I met in college as members of the same fraternity. During my senior year, both of us moved out of the house into an apartment and were roommates. We has some memorable times together. He always had a unique outlook on life which made that year a great experience. We both married and each of us participated in the other's wedding. We each had one son and one daughter. Joy and Bruce and Lorraine and I got together for a quick meal or a cup of coffee whenever our travels took us near the Oakland exit on I-80, and, during each visit, the years since graduation always melted away as we talked. Bruce will be geatly missed by all of us. Our greatest sorrow is for Joy and the great burden she now has to shoulder. Our prayers go out to her as well as Justin and Angie."
"Bruce and I met in college as members of the same fraternity. During my senior year, both of us moved out of the house into an apartment and were roommates. We has some memorable times together. He always had a unique outlook on life which made that year a great experience. We both married and each of us participated in the other's wedding. We each had one son and one daughter. Joy and Bruce and Lorraine and I got together for a quick meal or a cup of coffee whenever our travels took us near the Oakland exit on I-80, and, during each visit, the years since graduation always melted away as we talked. Bruce will be geatly missed by all of us. Our greatest sorrow is for Joy and the great burden she now has to shoulder. Our prayers go out to her as well as Justin and Angie. Lorraine and Vic Pierrot"
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"Dearest Joy, We met a few times when we were kids. My brother John and I spent many happy times on our Aunt Carrie and Uncle Delberts farm, and then LaRue and Merles. We were the California cousins (on the Dana side). I've seen you a few times through the years and was happy to meet Bruce a few years ago. I know from "the family" what a wonderful life you have had with him. I am sorry for your loss, too fast, too unexpected. Healing takes a long time. Don't be tough on yourself and think you have to be super brave for "everyone" else. As I say, when the tears come, it is because your heart is overflowing with so much love, there is no where else to go, but to empty through tears, every now and then. God Bless you and your family. My "kissin" cousin Carole, and Jim kept me informed, and today I got an email from Sheila. Your Iowa kin are taking good care of you. With love, Erica (Pridonoff Zacarias, Josephine's oldest daughter)"
"Dear Joy, Justin & Angie, Words cannot adequately express the sadness we feel at the loss of Bruce. We are so much better for having known him. We knew him such a short time, and liked him immediately. He had such an open & honest heart. We have been robbed of the honor of knowing him better & longer as he was just taken too soon. The marriage of our son John to Angie made us family, and we share your pain. May your happy memories bring you comfort. He will always be with us in our hearts. Love, Tom & Jan Clampffer"
"Dearest Joy, Justin and Angie There is tremendous sadness today for you and for hundreds of us who cannot imagine Bruce not being here. Please know that your pain is shared by all who know you and our hearts hurt too. As a child, I always thought Bruce and Joy were "so cool" at family reunions! As an adult, I was thrilled to get to know you both better through some vet functions. I will remember the happy times and be grateful for the occasions we shared together. God Bless. Sheila Sievers "