Deloris Anne “Dee” Wallace, 89, of Estero, FL, died Nov. 1, 2023, at her daughter’s home in rural Newton. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, June 7, in Lynnville. Prayer and dedication of a bench memorial at Lynnville Old Mill Museum will begin at 11 a.m. led by Pastor Jamie Bogaard, followed by lunch, drinks, and music at Old Settlers Park to share memorials and memories of Dee and other loved ones, organized by her son, Kirk Van Rees. Please notify her friends and relatives who may not see this notice about her Celebration of Life.
Deloris was the daughter of Arie and Jennie (Swank) Van Weelden and was born in Taintor. She grew up in Lynnville and graduated from Lynnville High School.
She was united in marriage with Larry Van Rees, and they were blessed with three children: Shawn, Kirk, and Bret. She owned the Dee Hive Cafe in Lynnville in the 1970s. After that, she worked at Maytag Company. Deloris later was united in marriage with Dale Wallace in New Sharon. In 1978, they moved to Florida where Deloris worked as an office manager of a construction company in Hollywood.
After retirement, Deloris and Dale made their home at the Cypress Bend Park in Estero, FL. They also liked traveling the countryside in their camper and spending summers back in Iowa. Deloris was an avid sports fan and enjoyed cheering on the Iowa Hawkeyes, Florida State Seminoles, Tampa Bay Rays, and Chicago Cubs. She also was a talented baker and made the best Dutch Letters.
Deloris is survived by her children: Shawn (Calvin) Retman of Newton and Kirk Van Rees of Lake City, FL; her grandchildren: Jodi Brown, Justin (Erin) Good, Jordan Van Rees, Josh (Mackenzie) Van Rees, Whitney (Jacoby) Tremmel, and Tarrah (James) Broderick; nine great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her two stepchildren Donovan (Pat) Wallace of Turlock, CA, and Kent Wallace of Hollywood, FL; two stepgrand-children, Mitchell (Katlynn) Wallace and Lauren (Jonny) Reid; two step-great-grandchildren; her sister Diana Agan of Newton; and several nieces and nephews, including a special niece, Kim Hoskins.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Dale Wallace; her son Bret Van Rees; her stepdaughter Regina Wallace; her siblings Donald and Bob Van Weelden; and her grandmother who raised her, Dora Swank Hudson.
