Lee Edward Van Cleave

Lee Edward Van Cleave, son of James Edward Van Cleave and Fairy Rose Marie Clark Van Cleave, was born March 14, 1929 on his parents' farm near Yale, Iowa, and died May 9, 2017 at the Dallas County Hospital in Perry, Iowa. Lee was 88 years 1 month and 25 days old. Funeral services were held at 11: 00 a.m., Saturday May 13, 2017 at the First United Methodist Church, Perry, Iowa. The pastor Rev. Paul Burrow conducted the services. Mr. Dennis Morgan played and sang the hymns Peace In The Valley and Amazing Grace. Lee's casket bearers were Sunni Lee, Mike Van Cleave, Mitchell Van Cleave, Richard Kipp, Trent Andrews and Bruce Terrell. The church ushers were Joe Royer and Gene Dorman. Lee's burial was at Prairie Center Cemetery, near Linden, Iowa Lee graduated Panora High School in 1947. He married Frances Jean Bennink in August of 1948. They were blessed with almost 69 years of marriage. Lee and Frances were parents of three children, Bonnie, Tom, and Tim. Lee worked as a hired hand for a short time after their marriage and then rented 80 acres south of Bagley. Their next venture was to Carmen Kempf's farm for seven years. They farmed the Carl Shaffer ground for 42 years. They bought a farm nearby and then purchased another 80 acres. Lee and Frances were a team, not only in marriage, but working on their farms. In addition to raising corn and beans, they raised hogs, finished out calves and the chickens were Frances' project. Life on the farm created many wonderful memories for his children and grandchildren. Lee and Frances were able to travel to Europe, and spend winters in Mexico, Texas, and Arizona, always making new friends. They made many more friends in their square dancing club, and enjoyed dancing together for 25 to 30 years. That group regularly camped in their campers in various locations and enjoyed meals and fun together, including yard darts and mopeds! In 1994, they built their new home and their family enjoyed it as much as Lee and Frances. In 1996, Lee retired from actively farming and in 2007 he suffered a very severe stroke. He miraculously survived and with the loving support of Frances and his family; as well as great determination, he forged forward. Lee was a caring man who loved his family greatly. His large extended family was always special to him and he loved and cared for his mother. Lee was a member of the Prairie Center Church for many years before transferring his membership to the First United Methodist Church in Perry. He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Fairy; his parents-in-law Arthur and Jeanette Bennink; his precious sons, Tom and Tim; his sisters Delores Helle and husband LeRoy; Barbara Kipp; Roberta Russell and husband Jack; and brother-in-law Warren Bennink and wife Kathryn. Lee's memory will be forever cherished by his wife Frances; daughter Bonnie Van Cleave of Bagley, IA; his loving grandchildren who will miss him very much, as well as his butterscotch discs and gum,Sunni Lee of Bagley, IA; Jim Van Cleave of Springfield, MO; Mike Van Cleave and wife Jessica of Fair Grove, MO; great grandchildren Angel Bunn, Mary Lee, Mitchell Van Cleave, and Lee Van Cleave. Other survivors are his brother-in-law Richard Kipp of Yale, IA;, Memorials in his name can be sent to Box 204, 1417 2nd St., Perry, Iowa 50220 www.hastingsfh.com 403 North Elm Jefferson, Iowa 50129 515 465-4691 hastings@minburncomm.net hastingsfuneral@netins.net 515 386-8181