Jeannette Lavonne Kerkvliet

Larchwood, IA Jeannette "Jenny" Kerkvliet, age 82 of Larchwood, IA died Wednesday, November 11, 2015 at the Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls, SD. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM, Monday, November 16th at The Church of St. Mary in Larchwood, IA, with Father Jeff Schleisman officiating. Burial will follow at Larchwood Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday, November 15th from 2:00 to 8:00 PM, with family present from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at The Church of St. Mary. There will be a 7:15 Vigil Service Sunday evening at the church. Jurrrens Funeral Home of Larchwood is in charge of arrangements. Jenny was born October 11, 1933 to Kathryn (Tracey) and Sylvester Tracy in Sioux Falls, SD. She lived in Larchwood for 7 years then moved to Sioux Falls for 1 year. She attended St. Joseph's Cathedral and received her First Communion there. She moved to San Francisco with her family and lived there for 5 years during World War II. She was confirmed at Star of the Sea Church. After the war, the family moved back to the Sioux Falls and Larchwood area. She attended school at Cathedral High School for a time then graduated from St. Mary High School in Larchwood in 1951. She worked at the State Theater in the summer of 1948 and at Shriver's office in downtown Sioux Falls for two years after graduating. Jenny married Bob Kerkvliet on June 10, 1953 at St. Mary Church in Larchwood. They lived in Florida for a year and a half while Bob was in the Air Force, then returned to Larchwood to raise their six children. They lived on their farm until 1969 when they moved into town. Bob and Jenny joined Meadow Acres golf course when it opened and enjoyed playing in the couple's league for over 20 years. They traveled to 49 of the United States and to Europe. Jenny later traveled to England and Ireland with her son. After raising her children, she worked at Grand Labs and volunteered at Avera McKennan Hospital. Jenny was a member of St. Mary church, Altar Society and Choir. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and the Red Hat Society. Jenny's children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren brought great joy to her life. She also greatly enjoyed gathering daily with her coffee group. Jenny is survived by six children: Kathy Knobloch and Vicki Kerkvliet of Sioux Falls, SD; Tony (Mary) Kerkvliet, Ken (Nancy) Kerkvliet, Scott (Caroline) Kerkvliet and Laura (Craig) Gilbertson of Larchwood, IA; 21 grandchildren and 26 great grandchildren; a brother, Gene (Connie) Tracy, of Stockton, CA and many nieces and nephews. Preceding her in death were her husband Bob in 2002; brothers Bob and Jerry Tracy, sisters Phyllis Lewis and Mary Jane Hevern; and her parents.