Virginia Helena Roell

Virginia Helena Roell, age 86, of Brimley, Michigan, and Andover, Kansas, died June 30, 2016 in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. She was born November 28, 1929, in the family farmhouse in Goetzville, Michigan, to Wilford J. and Dora (Wojnaroski) Stevenson. Shortly after her birth, Virginia’s family moved to Lime Island, Michigan, for several years before moving to Sault Ste. Marie where Virginia graduated from Loretto Catholic High School. As a young woman she worked at Edison Sault Electric and the Chippewa County Courthouse. Virginia married Norman “Dusty” Rhodes October 9, 1948. They had one daughter, Patricia. Dusty died in Korea in 1950. Virginia worked for the Department of Defense in Washington, D.C. for a short time before returning to Michigan. On May 17, 1958, she married Ronald C. Roell. They lived in many places throughout Ron's Air Force career, including Chicago, Marquette, England, New York, South Carolina, Kincheloe, and Hawaii. Along the way, they had three boys, Michael, Steven, and Robert. They settled in Sault Ste. Marie for 24 years before eventually making Kansas their home. Virginia was a member of St. James Catholic Church in Augusta, Kansas, and attended St. Francis Xavier in Brimley. She was active at church where she participated in the choir and many other activities. Virginia loved quilting and made countless quilts during her lifetime. She was an avid Detroit sports fan who followed the Tigers, Lions, Pistons, and Red Wings. Virginia is survived by her sons, Michael Roell of Harrisburg, Missouri, Steven (Roberta) Roell of Rose Hill, Kansas, and Robert Roell of Plano, Texas; son-in-law, Larry Brazee of Northport, Florida; grandchildren, Scott (Heather) Brazee, Sheryl Brazee, Kimberly (Cameron) Rezai, Helena Roell, and Patrick Roell; and great grandchildren, Zoe Brazee, Logan Brazee, Trevor Rezai, and Talia Rezai. She is also survived by two sisters, Doris (Vaughn) McKinch of Lansing, Michigan, and Mary Lou (Jay) Illingsworth of Louisburg, North Carolina. Virginia was preceded in death by her first husband, Norman Rhodes; her second husband, Ronald C. Roell; and her daughter, Patricia Brazee. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, July 5 at 1:00 P.M. at St. Stanislaus Kostka Catholic Church, 12841 E. Traynor Road in Goetzville, with burial to follow. Interment will be in St. Stanislaus Cemetery in Goetzville. Memorial contributions may be made to the National Wildlife Federation at www.nwf.org. R. Galer Funeral Home in Pickford, Michigan is serving the family. Condolences and flowers may be sent to the family at www.rgalerfuneralhome.com.

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Virginia Helena Roell

November 28, 1929 - June 30, 2016