Stella Mae VanWestrienen's Obituary
Big Rapids - Stella Mae VanWestrienen, 93, of Rodney, passed away Sunday, March 8, 2020, at Altercare of Big Rapids.
She was born July 17, 1926, in Big Rapids, the daughter of Fred and Lenna (Fenstermacher) Schippa, and graduated from Big Rapids High School in 1944. In 1952, Stella married Richard L. "Dick" VanWestrienen, who preceded her in death in 2012.
Stella was a longtime member of St. Peter's Lutheran Church. She was an avid quilter, and enjoyed knitting squares for afghans for veterans' hospitals.
Stella is survived by four children, Mary Lou Chidester of Fairborn, OH, Larry (Jen) VanWestrienen of Phoenix, AZ, Bette Belic of Marquette, Sue Ann Adamczak of Buckley; 6 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren (with one more on the way); and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by 2 brothers, Norm and Fred Schippa.
Graveside services will be held in the Martiny Cemetery in Rodney later this spring. Memorial contributions in Stella's name may be made for St. Peter's Lutheran School. Care and arrangements are entrusted to the Mohnke Funeral Home in Big Rapids.
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