Helen Ruth Van Zee

Helen Ruth (Vermeer) Van Zee joined her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on August 22nd, 2022. Ruth was born on March 4th, 1929, in Hull, Iowa. She was the daughter of Joe and Agnes (Vander Aarde) Vermeer. She attended Hull Public School and graduated in 1947. She met her husband Henry Van Zee in March, 1955 after he was discharged from the U.S. Navy. They were married later that year on October 21st, 1955 by Rev. Bernard Brunsting. They made their first home in Bellflower, CA where Richard Lee was welcomed family on November 2nd, 1957. In 1959, they moved to Lakewood where Brenda Kay was born and welcomed into the family on November 28th, 1959. After living in Lakewood for 8 years, they moved to Artesia, CA. On December 2nd, 1969 Kristi Lynn made her appearance as the newest member of the family. Before the children were born, Ruth worked as a long distance telephone operator, bookkeeper and secretary. After their children were born, she worked as a licensed day care worker from their home for 20 years. In 1977, she enrolled at Cerritos College to update her office skills, and she later obtained employment as a word processor and secretary at ABC Unified School District until retirement in 1993. Retirement years were fun times for Hank and Ruth as they traveled with friends in their RV's through every state in the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii. They also traveled through the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden in 1987. To celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary, they traveled to Australia, New Zealand and the Fiji Islands. As much as they enjoyed traveling, they also enjoyed doing volunteer work at Cook College and Theological School in Tempe, AZ for ten years. Those left to cherish her memory include: Richard (Keely) Van Zee, Son, Brenda (Arthur) Fagan, Daughter, Kristi (Reno) Rico, Daughter, Kimberly (Adam) Markowksi, Granddaughter, Krista Fagan, Granddaughter, Seth & Noah & Asher (Markowski) (Great Grandsons), Justin & Anna Hermosillo (Reno's Daughter), Michael & Lizett Rico (Reno's Son), Aubrey Hermosillo (Great Granddaughter), and Jade, Autumn & Stone Rico (Great Grandson). Predeceasing her in death were her parents (Joe and Agnes Vermeer), two sisters and their husbands, Angie and Raymond Cox and Tracy and Stanley Rhodes, a brother, Lloyd Vermeer, and sister-in-law, Mildred and her brother Harold Vermeer. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her honor to the Artesia Christian Home.

Helen Ruth Van Zee

March 4, 1929 - August 22, 2022