MILLER, SD –

Steven Van Zee, 90, of Miller, passed away Monday, September 4, 2023, at the Good Samaritan Society in Miller.

Funeral Mass will be 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, September 27, 2023, at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, Miller, Father Paul Josten, celebrant. Burial will follow at G.A.R. Cemetery, Miller. A visitation will begin one hour prior to the Mass at the church.

Steven Van Zee was born September 2, 1933, in Miller, South Dakota to Garritt and Anna (Vlasek) Van Zee. He attended elementary school at Hass country school until his junior year and then he was able to help work full time on the family farm, but did obtain his GED later. When he came of age, he joined the United States Air Force and spent four years serving. He had many stories and memories, but the best thing about his time spent serving in the Air Force was the lifelong friendships he made and kept in contact throughout the years.

After an honorable discharge, he returned home to the family farm and with his brother, Del, and began his life’s work, farming. Steve had a can-do, keep-going attitude when it came to working, always saying things like, “Someone’s gotta do it” and when a bad day happened, he said “Some days are like that, some days are worse”. He had no fear, which was not always fun for his daughter, Bernadette, following him on a four-wheeler, but did come in handy when someone had to climb to the top of the grain bin. Even in Steve’s later years, he always wanted to check up on the farm and make sure it was okay. You could never take his thoughts off the farm.

Steve met his future bride in his brother, Del’s, kitchen where she was just visiting her friend, Pat. Little did Steve know, Judith Free would become his wife of many, many years. The first thing both Steve and Judy agreed on was their first look was love at first sight and they both shared that many times with others.

Steve was always trying to do something for another, “no” was not in his vocabulary. Whether it be stopping to help a broken down car or help a stranger take a family picture, he wasn’t going to tell them he couldn’t. He sold seed corn, salt, and Arts-Way feeder wagons to local farmers; this was a great advantage for him to stay in touch with his neighbors and the community. Through the seed company, Steve and Judy were able to take many trips together and travel around the world, including Portugal, Jamaica, and Hawaii.

He had an extreme love for his grandchildren, you always knew when they were around because Steve would always be smiling and beaming with pride.

Steve is survived by his children: Philip of Sioux Falls, Bernadette (Kenny Kuper) of Miller, and Chris (Amanda) of Forest Grove, OR; three grandchildren: Jaclynn (Aaron Curry) of Sioux Falls, and Zoë and Izaäk of Forest Grove, OR; sister-in-law, Tina (David Ferrar) Horecki of Reading, England; and numerous extended family and friends.

He was preceded by his parents; wife, Judith; brothers: Delmar, Eugene, Elvin, and Desmond; and three infant siblings (1924, 1924, and 1936, respectively).

Reck Funeral Home of Miller has been entrusted with Steve’s arrangements. Visit www.familyfuneralhome.net

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