ZEETS, Vincent Albert (Vinko Zic) 1910-2007
ZEETS, BUDAK, FUNKE, PRICA, LOESCH, HUBBY, CONRY, MILLER, NIELSEN, PRPIC, NELSON, POIRIER, DUSEK, BAZANT
Posted By: S. Bell
Date: 12/19/2012 at 02:30:41
Vincent Albert Zeets (Vinko Zic), died Sunday April 1, 2007 at the Martin Center in Cedar Falls.
He was born in Chicago IL the son of Frances and Vincenzo Zic of Croatia. Four years later Vincent his parents and brother Jerry returned to Croatia to live. Vincents birthday was celebrated for many years on March 4th. When he needed a copy of his birth certificate much to his surprise it showed he was actually born on April 8, 1910. As a result he enjoyed celebrating two birthdays until the family decided that April 8th was the one.
As a young fourteen year-old Vincent came back to the United States in the summer of 1924 joining his uncles in New York from there going with family to Chicago where he attended St. Jeromes Grade School from 1924-1925. He attended night school at Harrison High School to learn English and blueprint reading. At Howard Machine Shop he began learning the tool and die trade. From 1934-1938 he went to New York and worked at the Hotel Lexington and finally joined his brother Jerry in Waterloo.
From 1942-1945 he served in WWII as a Tech. Sgt. with the 34th Infantry Division 168th Infantry Regiment Red Bull Division. During his Army Service Vincent received a Purple Heart and numerous other awards.
On January 15, 1942, he married Ann Budak and from that union nine children were born. Because of Vincent and Anns hard work and values all nine children were able to attend St. Marys Grade School and Columbus High School. After the war he applied his tool and die training while he worked at Waterloo Valve Springs (1945-1955-currently Waterloo Industries) John Deere (1955-1963) and Chamberlains until he retired in 1972.
Camping was an important family event for many years with the extended family enjoying annual large family camp-outs held throughout the Midwest. Shortly after the death of his wife in 1980 he sold his house and began a tradition of being the traveling grandpa. He would alternate visiting each family for a couple months. This continued for about 18 years until he moved back to Waterloo due to his health.
His hobbies were unique: creating intricate sailing ships in bottles designing picture frames and making Poppers (a childs toy he remembered from his childhood in Croatia). Also unique was his love of delicious dishes made of squid or octopus again reminiscent of his life by the Adriatic Sea in Croatia. In 1988 Vincent was once again able to visit his beloved Punat Krk Croatia and show his children the family home school church countryside and people that influenced him in his formative early years.
He is survived by his children: Nancy Funke of Sioux City, IA Frances (George) Prica of Columbia, MO, Joann (Mike) Loesch of Hastings, MN, Rosalyn (Roger) Hubby of Boone, IA, Vincent (Kathy) Zeets of Waterloo, IA, Mary Lou (Bob) Conry of Sacramento, CA, Elizabeth (John) Miller of Aurora, IL, and Joseph (Deanne) Zeets of Olathe KS; grandchildren: Melissa (John) Zefran, Neal (Jennie) Funke, Robin (Brian) Davis, Cary (Rocky) Henry, Sarah Prica, John Katie and Sam Loesch Ann Michelle (David) Anderson Greg (Eleasha) Hubby Angie (Brent) Waldman, Brian (Annie) Steve and Emily Zeets, Jenny Conry, Chrissy (Luis) Borja, Andrew and Darren Miller, Matthew, Danielle, and Michael Zeets.
Also surviving are 22 great-grandchildren; brothers-in-law, Del Nielsen of Waterloo and Phil Poirier of San Marcos, CA; sisters-in-law Joni Nelson of Roseville, CA and Barb Budak of LaGrange IL and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife; a son Nicholas Zeets in 1975; a grandson Nathan Miller; a son-in-law James Funke; a brother Jerry Dusek; and sisters, Franka Bazant and Nada Prpic.
The family wishes to acknowledge the compassionate care given to Vinko by the staff at the Western Home Communities especially the Martin Center in Cedar Falls Cedar Valley Hospice and private caregivers Sharon and Cindy. Services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with burial in Calvary Cemetery. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at Hagarty-Waychoff-Grarup Funeral Service on West Ridgeway where there will be a 4 p.m. rosary and a 7 p.m. vigil.
[Hagarty-Waychoff-Grarup Funeral Service Obituary]
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