Ben Van Zee

Benjamin "Ben" Ernest Van Zee, 82, of Ankeny, formerly of Newton, passed away on February 22, 2026, at Kavanaugh Hospice House in Des Moines, surrounded by his loving family.

Ben was born on August 7, 1943, in Newton, Iowa, to Herman E. Van Zee and Ann M. (Spalink) Van Zee. He graduated from Newton Sr. High School in 1961, where he enjoyed playing both basketball and baseball.

On May 1, 1964, Ben was united in marriage to Carol M. Struik at the Newton Christian Reformed Church in Newton, Iowa. Together they built a life centered on faith, family, and community, sharing 61 years of marriage.

Ben began his career at Parsons in Newton, where he worked from 1961 to 1976. He later worked for Fisher Controls in Marshalltown as a CNC programmer until his retirement in 2008. He took pride in his work and the friendships he built along the way.

He grew up in the Newton Christian Reformed Church. For many years, he and Carol attended Community Heights Alliance Church in Newton and enjoyed time spent with small group friends. He also served on the school board for Newton Christian School. His faith was the foundation of his life. He often reminded his family, "God is in control," a truth he not only believed, but lived every day. Through life's joys and challenges, he trusted God's plan and taught his children and grandchildren to do the same. He cherished time spent with family and took great joy in watching them grow.

Ben was an avid outdoorsman who loved golfing at Westwood Golf Course in Newton. He also enjoyed fishing and hunting. He was a member of the Isaac Walton League in Newton and volunteered for Skiff Hospice for many years. A devoted Iowa Hawkeyes fan, Ben also enjoyed playing sports himself, especially softball and racquetball.

He is lovingly survived by his wife of 61 years, Carol Van Zee; his daughters, Lisa (Pat) Hansen of Kansas City, Missouri, and Gretchen (Sean) Lowe of Ankeny, Iowa; his grandchildren, Benjamin (Madison) Hansen, Megan (Keaton) Parks, Ava Lowe, and Owen Lowe; his brother, Randy (Sheryl) Van Zee; sisters-in-law, Dianna Van Zee, Rita Gibson, Linda (Loren) Vande Lune, Phyllis Vander Pol, and Loretta Struik; and many nieces, nephews, and extended family members.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Donna (Warren Nikkel) (William) Neasham; his brother, David Van Zee; his nephews, Chris Wilson and David Wilson; his sisters-in-law, Lois Vande Lune and Helen Groenendyk; his brothers-in-law, Lowell Vande Lune, Maurice Groenendyk, Marvin Struik and David Vander Pol; and his parents-in-law, Hubert and Hendrika Struik.

A service for Ben will be held on Friday, February 27, 2026, at Pence-Reese Funeral Home in Newton. A live stream will be available on the Pence-Reese Facebook page. The family will greet guests during a time of visitation at 10:00 a.m. and the service will follow at 11:00 a.m. A luncheon will be held at the Pence-Reese Tribute Center following burial at Palo Alto Cemetery in Newton.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Ben's memory to EveryStep Kavanaugh House in Des Moines.