Alvina "Viny" Van Roekel

About Viny

Alvina “Viny” Baker Van Roekel, passed away peacefully in her Park Rapids, MN, home Tues., April 2, 2024.

Viny was born June 21, 1941, in Hospers, IA and was the youngest of 5 children. She graduated as the first graduating class of Floyd Valley in 1959. She married Allen Van Roekel on June 1, 1960 and they made their home on a farm between Sheldon, Hospers and Newkirk. They bought Breeze Campground in 1983, moving to Park Rapids, MN, with their 3 youngest children.

Viny was part owner of Preferred Properties of Park Rapids, in which she just recently retired from in October of 2022. She was an active member at the Riverside Methodist Church for many years.

She loved finding the perfect property for families of all backgrounds, and every drive included a “I sold that house” on it! She loved having daily coffee time and playing cards with her dearest friends.

She and Al loved music and enjoyed many concerts, with a very special highlight, getting backstage passes to meet Foghat in Walker, MN, and watch the performance from the stage!

Viny loved her kids and grandkids dearly. She was always the quickest to boast about their achievements. She left people in a better place than when she met them; caring for them with unprompted gestures and reassuring them with the kindest of hearts. She had such a generous spirit. She looked forward to Tuesday night ‘Date Night’- a tradition started with Al and continued by her son, Kent. She always looked forward to spending time with family the most. Knowing she passed on a Tuesday, we believe she finished this date night with Al.

Viny is survived by sons, Mark (Deb) of Waterloo, IA, Kent (Julia) of Park Rapids, MN, Ryan (Annette) of Minneapolis, MN, Brad (Lisa) of Taft, CA and 1 daughter, Shawna Peters of Eagan, MN. She also had 17 grandchildren; Zachary (Laura), Alexander (Jessica), Rachel (Joe) Brandt, Andrew, Matthew, Nicholas, James, Laura, Madison, Jackson (Morgan), John, Reece and Colby. She had 6 great grand-children; Aleah, Alexa, Alayna, Benjamin, Jacob and Haley, and 1 on the way. She is also survived by her sisters-in-law, Betty (Glenn) Kooiker, Joyce Baker, and many cherished cousins, nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Allen, parents, John and Martha Baker, parents-in-law, Albert and Marie Van Roekel, siblings Josephine (Ivy) Kinney, Donald (Jo) Baker, Harold Baker and Marcella (Baker) Kroese and many dear friends and extended family members.

memorial service

Celebration of Viny's Life

April 13, 2024

Riverside United Methodist Church of Park Rapids 1005 Park Ave N, Park Rapids, MN 56470, USA

Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m. at the church.

Funeral/Cremation Provider: Cease Family Funeral Home