Stella Vanderplaats, age 87, of Mahnomen, MN, died Wednesday, May 16, 2018, at the Mahnomen Health Center.

Stella Victoria, the daughter of Louis and Theresa (Geray) Stall, was born on October 21, 1930 at home near Beaulieu, MN.  She was raised on the family farm and attended country school near there.   At the age of 16, Stella married her sweetheart, James Vanderplaats, on September 16, 1947. They began a family, and over the years, were blessed with eight children.  They lived in South Dakota but returned to Northern Minnesota shortly thereafter.  They lived in Fosston, Oaklee and various other communities before settling back in Mahnomen.  While being a busy mother, Stella also worked with potato harvest for many seasons.  She was employed with Ben Franklin, the Mahnomen Hospital, and several local café's.  Stella owned and managed the Dairy Bar restaurant for a time as well.  Working well into her 70's, Stella retired from the Mahnomen Boys and Girls Club, which was a job she truly enjoyed.

Stella always loved to look her best and made sure her hair, nails, and makeup were perfect each day.  She loved an adventure and took many day trips with her sisters and dear friends.  In her younger years, Stella looked forward to the dances at the "Flowing Well" but more recently, she liked to sit and listen to Polka music.   She was a proud grandmother, great grandmother, and great great grandma and cherished hearing about the kids' daily lives.   Her feisty spirit and big heart will be missed by so many.

She is survived by four sons: Larry (JoAnne) Vanderplaats of Waubun, MN, David Vanderplaats of Mahnomen, MN, Michael (Cindy) Vanderplaats of Mahnomen, MN, Brent (Bonnie) Vanderplaats of Hendrum, MN; three daughters: Julie (Franz) Vanderplaats of Grafton, ND, Debbie (Rick) Winter of Mahnomen, MN, and Tammy (Rodney "Spud") Benson also of Mahnomen, MN; 20 grandchildren; 37 great grandchildren; 2 great great grandchildren; two sisters: Percy Starkey of Mahnomen, MN, Nora Cich of Duluth, MN, several nieces and nephews; and special friends: Laurie Pinske, Carol Geray and Mary Iverson.

Stella was preceded in death by her parents, Louis and Theresa; her husband, James; son, Bob; sister, Mary; brothers: Frances, Ben, Harold, Ervin; and special nephew Arnie.

Funeral Mass will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, May 19, 2018, at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Mahnomen, MN.  Visitation will be held on Friday, May 18, 2018, from 5:00-7:00 pm with a Prayer Service at 6:00 pm at Anderson Family Funeral Home in Mahnomen and one hour prior to the Funeral Mass at the church. Burial will be in St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery, Beaulieu, MN.