Maurice F. "Moze" Van Zee

Maurice F. Van Zee, 84, of Platte, SD passed away Saturday, January 23, 2021 at Platte Health Center Avera. Funeral Services are 10:30 A.M. Tuesday, February 2, 2021 at the First Reformed Church in Platte with Military Honors. Burial will be at a later date. Visitation will be held at the church from 5:00 – 7:00 P.M. Monday, February 1, 2021 with a 7:00 P.M. Prayer Service. Mount Funeral Home of Platte is assisting with arrangements. Expressions of sympathy may be extended to the family through www.mountfuneralhome.com. The service will be live-streamed under "Photos and Videos" on the funeral home website (Webcasting) and through “Mount Funeral Homes” Facebook page.

Maurice F. Van Zee was born on January 20, 1937 to Gerrit J. and Margaret (VanDerWerff) Van Zee at the family home in Douglas County, SD. He attended country school, earned his GED and then was honored to serve his country in the US Army from 1955 – 1957. On April 17, 1959 Maurice was united in marriage to Norma Wentland at the United Methodist Church in Geddes, SD.

While beginning a life and family together with Norma, he worked with Allen Polly as a Bus Driver, was employed at Severson Service Station and took part in helping to build the Platte-Winner Bridge. In March of 1969 he started Van Zee Sanitary Service and operated it as a family business having employed several children and grandchildren. After 51 years of owning his business, he retired in 2020 and his grandson, Rockford Van Zee, took ownership. He also owned and operated Van Zee Hide & Fur.

Maurice was a prominent figure in the lives of his family, friends and those in the community, always thoroughly enjoying life and emanating kindness and laughter. He had an unmistakable zest for life that radiated to all those he touched throughout his full and joyous life. Maurice was a member of the First Reformed Church in Platte. He thrived on being outdoors and enjoyed his time spent with local baseball for 25 years, golfing, camping and hunting. He also liked to bowl, play cards and did his part to help the environment by recycling aluminum cans.

Grateful for having shared in Maurice’s life, his wife of over 61 years, Norma Van Zee of Platte, SD; six children: Randall (Gloria) Van Zee of Platte, SD, Sandra Brassfield of Rockford, IL, Todd (Traci) Van Zee of Platte, SD, Nancy (Evan) Nelson of Platte, SD, James Van Zee of Chandler, AZ and Krissa Van Zee (Pete Larsen) of Mesa, AZ; 18 grandchildren: Lindsey (Blaine) Davis, Tamra (Kristofer) Ronning, Kellie Brassfield, Rockford (Haley) Van Zee, Tate (Mackenzie) Van Zee, Jayden Van Zee, Mercedes (Jeff) Burns, Stewart Van Zee, Mariah Van Zee, Shay (Cassie) Nelson, Joslin (Kaden) Peterson, Peyton (Lizzy) Nelson, Riggs Nelson, Madison Van Zee, Kaden Van Zee, Zach Van Zee, Bryson Van Zee-Larsen and Kinsley Van Zee-Larsen; six great grandchildren: Berkley Davis, Beckham Davis, Walker Davis, Braxton Burns, Hazel Burns and Rockford Van Zee, Jr.; a brother, Jacob Gene Van Zee of Platte, SD; three sisters: Arlene Fiscus of Platte, SD, Gladys (Gordon) Kuehl of St. Michael, MN and Donna Blomberg of Elk River, MN; along with many nieces and nephews.

Maurice was preceded in death by his parents, Gerrit and Margaret Van Zee; a brother John Van Zee; a sister, Clara Iverson; a granddaughter, Cecily Van Zee; and brothers and sisters-in-law.