Vi Stanec

Viola (Vi) Adeline (Larsen) Stanec, 95, passed away Monday, May 8, 2023, at the Highland Park Care Center in Alliance, NE. She was born June 17, 1927, in New Underwood, SD to Alvin & Carrie Larsen, being the first of ten children.

She attended grade school at Farmingdale, SD & graduated from Rapid City High School in 1945. During her high school years, she worked for her room & board at several residences. She was confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Rapid City, SD in 1943. After graduation from high school, she was employed by the Ration & Rent Office.

Vi was united in marriage to Frank Stanec of Martin, SD on June 17, 1946. Their first home was on a farm 9 miles west of Martin. She helped with farm chores, raised large numbers of pullet chickens for butchering, and was a 4-H leader for a number of years. Four children were born to this union: Cary Jo, Diana, Maria & Steve. Maria was born 2 months prematurely and passed away 12 hours after her birth.

Vi was an active member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, teaching Sunday School and playing the organ for many years. She was also a member of the American Legion Unit Auxiliary #240 for many years. Her hobbies included gardening, both flowers and vegetables, sewing, crocheting & quilt making.

Vi and Frank sold their farm and moved to Martin in 1967 and started a wheel alignment and brake service business. In 1978 Vi became a childcare provider for many of the children in and around Martin. She discontinued that shortly before moving to Rapid City, SD in 2009.

She is survived by two daughters, Cary (Ron) Sherman of Ashland, MO and Diana (Craig) Kratovil of Rapid City, SD and one son, Steve of Alliance, NE, four granddaughters, Tonya Kratovil of Oahu, HI, Crystal (Bill) Moffitt of Rapid City, SD, Wendy (Cliff) Faulkner of Ashland, MO, and Catina Farahani of Salt Lake City, UT, two grandsons, Scott (Karin) Sherman of Santa Rosa, CA and Rich (Tara)Stanec of Alliance, NE, 12 great-grandchildren, 3 great great-grandchildren, 1 brother, Les Larsen (Linda) of Bismarck, ND and 1 sister, Nela Napoli of Rapid City, SD.

Vi was preceded in death by her husband Frank, her daughter Maria, parents Alvin & Carrie Larsen, brothers Rollo, Walter, Willard, William & Verlyn, 2 sisters Wilma Winston & DeElda Kursave.