Judith Van Zee

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Judith W. Van Zee, 86, of Miller, passed away Wednesday, March 29, 2023, at Good Samaritan Society in Miller.

A private memorial service will be held at Reck Funeral Home, Miller.  Burial will be at G.A.R. Cemetery, Miller.   

Judith was born September 30, 1936, in Reading, England to Jack and Winifred (Grubb) Free.  She graduated from high school in England.  While working in England, she met her friend, Pat Van Zee.  Later, Judith came to South Dakota to visit Pat and met Pat’s brother-in-law, Steve.  Judith and Steve fell in love at first sight and were married September 27, 1963.  Although Judith wasn’t the farm type, she loved the vastness and the beautiful scenery of the open plains of South Dakota.  When she first arrived in South Dakota, she couldn’t believe people were still using outhouses for bathrooms and many homes didn’t have running water.  This was one of the many adjustments she had coming from England.

Prior to living in the United States, she worked at Bradford Council Offices in Reading.  Judith worked at the Good Samaritan Society for 10 years.  She loved caring for the residents.  While working the night shift, she was able to enjoy seeing the northern lights for miles.  Judith dedicated her life to caring for others, especially her family, as they were her true treasure. She was an incredible mother to her three children. Her English history and traditions were important to Judith; in keeping her English traditions alive she always made hot cross buns on Easter. Judith was a very proper woman and made sure her children sat up fair and square with no elbows on the table. Her grandchildren called her “Nana” or “Grandmums”.

In her free time, Judith enjoyed the company of her friends at Extension Club and was a member of St. Ann’s Catholic Church.  She also loved watching Jeopardy and the game show channel, along with drinking tea with visitors.  She had a fondness for swans, wrote everything in shorthand and loved all English history.  Judith was a soft spoken, calm, kind human being with a gentle soul. 

The last several months were rough for Judith as her health was failing.  She was able to be loved and cared for daily by her daughter, Bernadette.  They created a deep bond and cherished their time together.

Her memory will be cherished by the love of her life, her husband, Steve; their three 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, Tina (David Ferrar) Horecki of Reading, England; and numerous extended family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, John.

Reck Funeral Home of Miller has been entrusted with Judith's arrangements.