Denise J. Van Zee, 66, of Lincoln passed away on December 24, 2020. Born September 24, 1954 to Otto and Elaine (Schauman) Trapp in Denver, CO. Denise married John Van Zee on April 24, 1976. Her faith was the most important thing to her throughout her life. She dedicated herself to her family and especially her children. Favorite pastimes include creating scrapbooks with photos of her kids and grandkids, building several dollhouses, even cutting, gluing individual shingles on the roofs, and adding electrical wiring for lights. Denise also enjoyed taking trips with Amanda later in life to places like Disney World and Las Vegas, as well as traveling all over the U.S. with John, wherever Amanda and James were stationed for military duty at the time. Denise was the “Team Mom” for Mark’s high school football team, and she loved going to his dog hunt tests and while she was there, she learned everything she could about the sport. Denise worked as a HR Coordinator for K12 Online Public Schools for well over 10 years and was there when online schools were first getting started.
Survivors include son, Mark (Bailey) Van Zee of Lincoln; daughter, Amanda (James) Morgan of Lincoln; grandchildren, Raylon and Loretta Van Zee, and Alexis Morgan; sister Kathy Souchek; brothers, Edwin (Carol) Trapp, James (Debbie) Trapp; stepfather, Burt Miller; many nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by her husband, John Van Zee; parents, Otto and Elaine Trapp; sister, Dianne Heil; brother-in-law, John Souchek.
Memorial Contributions may be directed towards the family for future designation.
Denise’s Victory Service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, January 8, 2021 at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church, 7979 Holdrege St., Lincoln, NE. Cremation/No visitation. Social distancing and face coverings are required. Contact the family for reception details.