Gerard B. Vanzeben

PROVIDENCE, UTAH: Gerard B. Van Zeben, passed away peacefully on August 15, 2010 at his home with his children and wife at his side. Gerard was born in Amsterdam, Holland on June 13, 1928, one of five brothers, Gerard, Willem, JohAn, Karel and Benjamin, the sons of Willem and Maria Alida (Spee) Van Zeben.

Gerard grew up in Holland and his family was involved in the Dutch underground during World War II. His father was an LDS Branch President and Gerard met his future wife, Beth while she was on a mission to the Netherlands. He immigrated to the United States in 1950. He was drafted into the US Army with all of his brothers in 1951. On April 7, 1951 he married Sarah Beth Olsen in San Francisco, CA. He lived in San Mateo, California and Midvale, Utah where he met Greg Griffiths who encouraged him to sing and he helped him to move to his beloved home in Providence, Utah. Gerard and Beth were sealed in the Oakland Temple on October 16, 1971. He was active in the LDS Church and held many positions. He retired from working for the church in June 1993 and in August of the same year they entered into the mission home and served in the Belgium Antwerp LDS Mission. They later served a second mission to the Netherlands Amsterdam Mission and a third at the
LDS Church Headquarters Mission. He loved to sing and act, it was his greatest joy. He had the opportunity to perform with the Utah Opera Company and the Salt Lake Opera. He also sang with his friends aT the Providence Senior Center. He also acted at the Pioneer Playhouse in Salt Lake City and was also a member of the Northern Utah Choral Society under Dr. Will Kesling in Logan and traveled to many countries to sing with the choir. He was proud to be a member of the American Legion and served there. As a Scout leader with the Cache Valley Council he helped many young scouts develop skills for life. He loved people and his adopted country and had a generous heart to all he met.

He was preceded in death by his parents and 3 brothers.

He is survived by his wife, Beth Van Zeben, and his four children, Juli Heaps, Becky Hardman, David Van Zeben, Mel Van Zeben and his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother, Johan (Zola) Van Zeben of Taylorsville, Utah, and his three sisters-in-law, and many other friends and relatives.

Funeral services will be on Thursday, August 19, 2010 at 1:00 pm in the Providence 2nd Ward Chapel. There will be a viewing Wednesday evening from 6-8 pm at the Allen-Hall Mortuary in Logan and at the church prior to services from 11:30 - 12:30 on Thursday. He will be laid to rest at the Providence Cemetery facing towards the mountains over Providence, and The people that he loved. There will be military honors. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.allenmortuaries.net .