Richard Van Zee

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Richard L. Van Zee, 80, of Flandreau and formerly of Miller, passed away Friday, October 22, 2021 at the Sioux Falls V.A. Medical Center.

Funeral service will be 2:30 p.m., Saturday, October 30, 2021, at Reck Funeral Home in Miller.  Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m. Burial with military honors will follow the funeral service at the St. Lawrence Cemetery.

Richard LeRoy Van Zee was born December 11, 1940 at Huron, South Dakota to Antonia (Thomas) and Helen (Jones) Van Zee.  He attended grade school at the Horse Shoe School; later he attended Sunshine Bible Academy from 1955-1956 and continued his education at the Miller Public School graduating in 1959.  While attending Miller, he was very active in sports and other activities.   He was very active in 4-H, getting many awards.  Richard won a trip to the Western Livestock Show in Denver, CO and a trip to the National 4-H club Congress in Chicago, IL.  Upon graduation, he enrolled at SDSU in Brookings, SD.  He helped a lot and worked in the sheep unit.  On weekends, Richard would show sheep for a rancher that raised top sheep. Richard traveled to many State Fairs to show his sheep.  He also belonged to many organizations while in ROTC.  One of his highlights was winning the Little International in 1953.  He majored in Animal Science with an Economics and ROTC minor.

Richard received his ROTC commission as 2nd LT in the army in 1965 and went on active duty in 1965. In 1966, he was shipped to Korea where he spent 14 months.  After his duty, he was assigned to Ft. Harrison in Indiana, joining the US Army Reserves until 1979.

In August of 1971, he married Sharon Gwin. They divorced in 1980.  In May of 1982, he married June Rezek in Miller, SD on Mother’s day.

Richard retired from Pac Lease of Indianapolis.  To which, at this time, he started raising cattle, calves for 4-H, chickens, and pheasants.

Richard is survived by his wife, June, of 39 years; special children: Gary (Judy Karen) Rezek,  Karen (Charlie) Harr, and Janet (Jim) Mertz; special grandchildren: Jayme (Ben) Fast, Lindsay (Mitch) Erickson, and Joshua Mertz; special great grandchildren: Sam and Claire Fast; special friends, Eric and Ben Karen; brothers: Dale (Cheryl) Van Zee, Larry (Sherry) Van Zee, and Ray Van Zee; sister, De Van Zee; sister-in-law, Laela Van Zee; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Helen; infant brother, David; brother, Gaylon; special great grandchild, Lucas Fast; and many aunts and uncles.

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