Viola "Vi" Stettnichs

Rock Rapids, IA Viola "Vi" Stettnichs, age 63 of Rock Rapids, IA passed away Sunday, March 30, 2014 at Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD. Funeral service will be 10:30 AM, Thursday, April 3rd at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Rock Rapids, IA, with Rev. Dan Kordahl officiating. Private burial will be on Saturday in Riverview Cemetery at Rock Rapids. Visitation will be Wednesday, April 2nd from 4:00 to 8:00 PM, with family present from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Jurrens Funeral Home of Rock Rapids. Viola Mae Stettnichs was born May 10, 1950 in Sibley, Iowa, the daughter of Harry and Grace (Wiertzema) Gertsma. She attended school at various locations, including Central Lyon, Magnolia, MN and Ellsworth, MN. She graduated from Ellsworth High School in 1969. After school Vi worked various secretarial jobs and housekeeping positions throughout her life. She took pride in all the jobs she did. For a lot of people she became more than a housekeeper, where she was known to go the extra mile. On March 17, 1978 Vi married Jeff Stettnichs in Rock Rapids, IA. Their entire married life was spent in Rock Rapids. To this union a son, Jason and a daughter, Kristy were born. In the 90s Vi and Jeff owned and operated See & Save Clothing Store in Rock Rapids. Vi's greatest delight was spending time with her family and friends. She loved baking and cooking, and sharing these items with many. A surprise visit from Vi with her famous chocolate chip cookies was a welcome sight, even in her grandkids' classrooms. Her fondest memories were going for Harley rides with her husband and spending quality time with her grandchildren. Vi also enjoyed watching the birds outside of her window, especially the hummingbirds, car rides and being out in nature. Vi passed away at Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD on March 30, 2014 at the age of 63. Left to cherish her memory is her husband of 36 years, Jeff of Rock Rapids, IA; a son, Jason (Jackie) Stettnichs of George, IA; a daughter, Kristy Stettnichs (fiancé, Jon) of Rock Rapids, IA; five grandchildren, Taeron, Ciara, Shelby, Hayden and Ana, with one grandson on the way; three sisters, Millie (Wendell) DeBeer of George, IA, Suzan (Ted) Wellendorf of Ellsworth, MN and Ranae (Kevin) Van Roekel of Hull, IA; a sister-in-law, Diane Anderson of Castlewood, SD; a brother-in-law, Rod (Nan) Stettnichs of Sioux City, IA; along with many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Grace Gertsma; parents-in-law, Marvin and Sis Stettnichs; and one niece, Gwen Meester.