Mary Ellen Scholten

Larchwood, IA Mary Ellen Scholten, age 63 of Rock Rapids, IA died unexpectedly Wednesday, May 7, 2014 at the Avera Dells Area Hospital in Dell Rapids, SD. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, May 10th at The Church of St. Mary in Larchwood, IA, with Father Bruce Lawler officiating. Burial will follow at the Larchwood Cemetery in Larchwood, IA. Visitation will be Friday, May 9th from 2:00 to 8:00 PM, with the family present from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Holy Name Catholic Church in Rock Rapids, IA. Also there will be a Vigil service and Rosary held at 7:00 PM Friday evening at Holy Name Church in Rock Rapids. Mary Ellen Scholten was born September 25, 1950 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the daughter of Joseph P. and Veronica (Snyders) Scholten. She was raised south of Larchwood, IA and attended St. Marys Catholic School in Larchwood, IA, graduating in 1968. She began working as a nurse's assistant at McKennan hospital while attending Sioux Falls School of Nursing. After graduating she continued working at McKennan hospital as an LPN. She moved to Rock Rapids, IA, where she worked at Lyon Manor and then pursued volunteering in the community. She was a member of Holy Name Catholic Church in Rock Rapids, active with Saint Catherines Society and other church functions. She enjoyed family history, photography, camping, gardening, playing cards and attending her nieces and nephews various extracurricular activities. Mary Ellen is survived by her mother, Veronica Scholten of Sioux Falls, SD; seven sisters, Judy (Norman) Hansen of Saint Joseph, MN, Sharon (David) Weiland and Nancy (Jim) Weiland, both of Dell Rapids, SD, Peggy Scholten of Sioux City, IA, Susan (Tim) Lund of Larchwood, IA, Monica (Dan) Collenbaugh of Rock Valley, IA and Joleen (Duane) Bos of Vermillion, SD; five brothers, Ken Scholten of Salem, SD, Tom (Theresa) Scholten and Adam Scholten, both of Sioux Falls, SD, Robert (Cheri) Scholten of Miller, SD and Steve (Joyce) Scholten of Dell Rapids, SD; brother-in-law, Pat Geraets of Dell Rapids, SD; and many nieces, nephews and other extended family. She was preceded in death by her father, Joseph Scholten; a sister, Joanne Geraets; and nephews, Andrew Weiland and Michael Scholten.