Nettie Van Zante

Nettie Van Zante was born June 23, 1923, at home by Taintor, Iowa to Paul and Johanna, “Josie” (Ryken) Simons. 

She graduated from the 8th grade at a country school in Madison Country School. She worked at Petra grocery in Pella and stayed with Steve De Kock. When her dad passed she moved to Oskaloosa with her mom and worked at Greens grocery. 

Nettie met Lloyd at a skating party at Central College and they married on March 29, 1946, at the First Christian Reformed Church in Oskaloosa. To this union they welcomed 2 sons: Bill and Rick. 

Nettie lovingly raised her boys on the family farm in a Christian home and willingly helped Lloyd when he needed her. They built a home on the other farm in 1979, so their son Rick and his wife Joan could move to the home place. In their later years they moved to Midtown apartments. Nettie loved being able to walk her errands. Later they went to Vriendschap for a few years and ended up at The Friesland Cottage. 

Nettie became a member of First Reformed Church in Pella when she married Lloyd. She taught many Sunday school classes, (catechism), enjoyed Circle, was a member of RCWA, a member of the the choir and was part of many Couples Bible Studies. 

Nettie taught 4-H for many years in Mahaska County, her group was the M&M Peppy Pals. She later judged at many county fairs. 

Nettie was very passionate about volunteering, she spent countless hours  during Tulip Time all over Pella.

Nettie had the gift of hospitality, she loved entertaining in her home her and Lloyd built. She spent countless hours playing cards with friends and family.

They traveled to many places in the US,  also visited Switzerland, Holland and Europe. They spent part of winters in Florida with their son Bill and family. 

Family:

Children, Grandchildren, and Great-Grandchildren –

Bill and Sara Van Zante of St. Augustine, Florida

            Carrie and Jamie Reddy

                        Courtney, Carlee

            Katie and Paul Fleming

                        Matthew, Michael, Maxwell

            Andrew and Tiffany Van Zante

                        Brittany, Cody, Rylee  

            Kelsey Van Zante

Rick and Joan Van Zante of Pella

                        Christina and Scott Marlow

                                    Payton, Cadynce, Beckym

                        Chelsea and Josh Cowman

                                    Lake, Harper, Maechen, Willow

                        Brandyn and Emily Van Zante

                                    Bray-Lynne, Barclay, Broderyck, Blythe

She was also survived by her brother: Paul Junior (Kathryn) Simons, and her sister: Joey (Dale) Van Omen.

Nettie was preceded in death by her husband: Lloyd, her parents, her parents-in-law: Will and Angelina Van Zante, her brothers: Leonard (Norma) Simons and Herman (Virginia) Simons, and sisters-in-law: Clara (Hubert) Thorson, Ethel (Ray) Gosselink, Gladys (John) Van Dyk, and Freda (Jeff) Hoeksema.

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