Bev Bury, beloved mother and wife, passed away peacefully on March 20, 2023, at her
home in Baxter, Iowa, at the age of 86, surrounded by her loving family. Her life will be
celebrated with a memorial visitation on March 27th from 6 to 8 PM at Fredregill FH in
Baxter, followed by a memorial service at Baxter Congregation Church on March 28th at
11 AM, with Pastor Benjamin Spera officiating. A luncheon will be served, and a private
family burial will be held at a later date at Restland Cemetery in Baxter, Iowa.
Bev was born on January 5, 1937, in Iowa City, Iowa, and grew up in Newton as the
youngest of six siblings. After graduating from Newton High School in 1955, she married
Glen Van Zante and moved to Baxter where they raised their four children. Bev started
her career at Colonial Manor Nursing Home in Baxter in 1973, and later, she and Glen
bought the nursing home. Bev graduated from nursing school as a Registered Nurse in
the same year and went on to become the Administrator and Director of Nursing of the
businesses until 1990. After Glen passed away in 1991, she continued her career as an
Administrator of Bishop Drum in Johnston, Iowa until she retired and continued
teaching at DMACC. In 1998, she married Don Bury, and the couple built a new house in
Baxter.
Bev was an active member of the Baxter Congregational Church, the Baxter Gardening
Club, and served as a 4-H leader. She was passionate about gardening, flowers,
antiques, traveling, scuba diving, playing cards (especially bridge), music, classical music,
and helping with the county elections for over 15 years. Bev was a master gardener and
enjoyed sharing her love of nature with others.
She is survived by her husband, Don Bury, of Baxter, IA; her children, Le Anne (David)
Hatch of Oceanside, CA, Bret (Diana) Van Zante of Baxter, IA, Cheri (Steve) Brant of
Baxter, IA, and William (Rena) Van Zante of Urbandale, IA; step-son Zachary (Kir) Bury;
grandchildren Olivia (Jess) Johnson, Katie (Vince), Caleb, Ryan (Amanda), Kaylan, Emma
(Marcus) DiGiovanni, Andrew and Danielle; great-grandchildren Madison, Drew, Jude,
Elijah, Mason and Linden; nieces Jo Jones and Irene Addy. She was preceded in death by
her parents, husband Glen, and her siblings.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the Baxter Congregational Church in Baxter.
Fredregill Funeral & Cremation Care has been entrusted with the care of Bev and her
family. Bev will be remembered for her kind heart, her love of family, and her passion
for life. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.