Anthony Van Zanten

“Saturday morning was come, and all the summer world was bright and fresh, and brimming with life. There was a song in every heart; and if the heart was young, the music issued at the lips. There was cheer in every face and a spring in every step. The locust-trees were in bloom, and the fragrance of the blossoms filled the air. Cardiff Hill, beyond the village and above it, was green with vegetation, and it lay just far enough away to seem a Delectable Land, dreamy, reposeful, and inviting.” - (Mark Twain, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer)

On Friday, February 9, 2024, Anthony Cornelius Van Zanten, 95, most recently of Greenville, SC, quietly passed away from the valley of this life to the eternal Saturday summer world, the true Delectable Land.

“Tony” was born in Hawarden, Iowa, on August 22, 1928, the 7th of 8 children born to John and Agnes Van Zanten. After high school, he went on to graduate from Westmar College in Le Mars, Iowa, then became a middle school teacher and principal at a small Christian school in Worthington, MN. Tony then chose to join the Air Force, and spent several years of service before being honorably discharged.

Tony then moved to Michigan, which would become his home state for many years. In 1955, he met and married the love of his life, Kathleen Geerligs, and together they moved to Kalamazoo and started a family. He eventually made his way to the real estate business and in 1968 he started Van Zanten Real Estate (because “Wooden Shoe rather use Van Zanten Real Estate?”) During Tony’s years working in the business, he was known for his ethics and fairness.

Tony was a deacon and elder at Trinity Reformed Church in Kalamazoo, and sang in their choir for many years. He retired from real estate in the late 90s, where his favorite days were spent working on the farm they owned; the site of many of his grandchildrens’ favorite memories of him as well. Whether he was driving the tractor for hay rides, doing puzzles, telling stories of his early life, or teaching card games, he was a devoted companion.

In their later years, the Van Zantens moved to Florida and Tony enjoyed a quiet retirement spent searching for fishing lures at flea markets, reading book after book (one of his favorites is quoted above), and visiting the many attractions of the Sarasota area with their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. His sense of humor, depth of spirit, resourceful provision, quick smile, and love for his family, friends, and neighbors are sorely missed.

He steadfastly persevered through the onset of cancer and its progressive stages of suffering, offering us a testimony of faithfulness. “It took 95 years to look this good” is the motto on the baseball cap he wore for the past 6 months; most people don’t have the opportunity or honor to make such a claim, but Tony did, even beating his grandchildren at cards just a week before he passed.

Tony leaves a hole in the hearts of his wife of 68 years, Kathleen Van Zanten of Greenville, SC, his sister Irene Ekdom of Sioux Falls, SD, daughter Susan Brennan of Sarasota, FL, son Mark Van Zanten of San Jose, CA, 7 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, siblings-in-law, and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, John and Agnes Van Zanten, his siblings, Bertha Rexwinkle, Sadie Hansen, Casey Van Zanten, Richard Van Zanten, John Van Zanten, and Henry Van Zanten.

Private services will be held at a later date.

Memorial contributions in Tony’s honor may be made to Paralyzed Veterans of America (pva.org) or to the Oconee Memorial Hospital Foundation, designated to the Hospice fund (Mail to: OMH Foundation, 298 Memorial Drive, Seneca, SC 29672).