Funeral services are 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 11, 2011 at the Emmanuel Reformed Church in Springfield, with burial in the Springfield Cemetery, rural Springfield. Visitation will be Tuesday from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m., with the family present from 7 to 8 at the Crosby-Jaeger Funeral Home in Springfield.

Violet Esther Ruppelt, daughter of Gustav and Katy (Ries) Boese, was born October 22, 1926 at Dolton, SD. She died unexpectedly Sunday, May 8, 2011 at St. Mary's Healthcare Center in Pierre, SD. Vi attained the age of 84 years, six months and 17 days.

Vi attended grade school at various country schools and then graduated from Freeman High School. She went to Freeman Junior College for one year and then taught school until her marriage to Thomas W. Ruppelt on February 27, 1947.

Vi and her husband farmed west of Springfield where she was a hardworking farmwife and mother. They retired and moved into Springfield in 1985. Tom died November 13, 2003.

Vi was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and the Worship and Service Circle at Emmanuel Reformed Church in Springfield.

Vi loved flowers and gardening. She will be remembered for her many quilts she made for the needy.

Thankful for having shared her life are her children: Shirley Miles and husband Dennis of Sioux Falls, Catherine Mercer and husband Keith of Blunt, Ruth Hemen and husband Patrick of Huron, and Daniel and wife Nancy of Springfield; 12 grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; one brother, Glen and wife Phyllis of Springfield; and many relatives and friends.

Vi was preceded in death by her husband, parents and brother Robert.