Rochelle Whitney

Rochelle “Shelley” Whitney, age 81, of Brainerd passed away Friday, July 7, 2017 at Edgewood Vista in Brainerd. Shelley’s memorial service will be Wednesday, July 12, at 11 am, at Brenny Funeral Chapel in Baxter. Friends and family are welcome to visit from 10-11:00 am, and are invited to join the family for a luncheon in Brenny’s Reception Room following the service. Interment will be at Oakland Cemetery in Little Falls.

Rochelle Lou DeZurik was born June 4, 1936 in Brainerd, to Lou and Myrtle (Ridlon) DeZurik. She grew up and attended school in Little Falls. Following high school, she was married to LeRoy “Bud” Steffen. Shelley moved to Brainerd in 1976, and was married to Bruce Whitney. Most recently, her home was at Edgewood Vista. Shelley enjoyed gardening, particularly her flowers, boating with Bruce, and going for long sightseeing drives. She collected kewpie dolls and she was an avid Minnesota Twins and Vikings fan. Shelley was a wonderful mother who loved her family more than anything else. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and always looked forward to catching up with family members during family reunions. She enjoyed celebrating holidays, and decorated for each of them. She loved her apartment and the staff at Edgewood Vista.

Shelley will be missed by her children, Cindy (Ron) Fenske, of Little Falls, Randy (Jody) Steffen, of Orlando, Florida, Daniel Steffen, of Brainerd, and Cherri (Alan) Rajdl, of Grand Rapids; a stepson, Michael (Roberta) Whitney, of Minneapolis and a stepdaughter, Rae Ann (Michael) Pierson Hassler, of West Bend, Wisconsin; seven grandchildren, Elizabeth Fenske (Hans Van Slooten), Angelina Fenske (Chad Drown), Mitch Steffen (Steffani Burton), Brooke (Travis) Dixon, Krystal (Kevin) Murphy, Angie Rajdl, and Kendra Walker Steffen; seven great-grandchildren; and a brother, Byron (Kathryn) DeZurik, of Brainerd. She was preceded in death by her husbands, LeRoy “Bud” Steffen and Bruce Whitney; and a son, Todd Steffen. Services entrusted to Brenny Funeral and Cremation Service, 800-824-5051, www.brenny.com.