Violet E. Stock, nee Behrens, 98, of Waterloo, died May 24, 2014 in Waterloo.

She was born Feb. 3, 1916, daughter of the late Theodore and Emma (nee Kochamohr) Behrens.

Violet and her sister, Rosemond, were raised on the Kochamohr family farm just north of Okawville by her grandparents, Henry and Mary, nee Brueggemann, Kochamohr after their mother died when Violet was not quite 3 years old.  At age 18, Violet moved to St. Louis to work in the same bakery with her Uncle Henry.  During the next 36 years Violet lived in St. Louis, she worked a variety of factory jobs, eventually caring for her grandfather and beloved Uncle Henry during their final years. Around 1970, Violet moved to Waterloo for the pleasure of small town living with close proximity to St. Louis, her many friends and family.

Violet found lasting love later in life when she married Charles W. Stock, April 27, 1974 and thereby acquired a family of stepchildren and grandchildren, who came to love her as much as the extended family and numerous lifelong friends she accumulated over the course of her life.  Everyone liked Vi. She was a joy to be with; always a positive outlook, gracious with kindness to all and generous with her time spent helping family and friends.  Although she endured hardships throughout her life, she never complained.  She enriched the lives of all her knew her; it was a blessing to have been part of her life.

Violet was preceded in death by her husband, parents, grandparents, sister and brother-in-law, Rosemond and Ernest Heitner, beloved uncles, Henry (Dora) Kochamohr, Edward (Emma) Behrens, Obert Behrens and aunt, Odell Behrens, as well as many extended family members and lifelong friends.

She leaves to cherish her memory step-son Donald Stock Sr.; 12 grandchildren;  many great-grandchildren as well as great-great grandchildren;  trusted friend and neighbor, Shirley (Clyde) Mathews of Waterloo, who provided unwavering care and support to Violet during her later years; godchild Harlan (Jeanne) Brightwell of Collinsville and his sister, Beverly Brightwell (Dana Rosenzweig) of Belleville; along with many cousins and friends.  Violet also had a close relationship with the family of the late Wallace and Winifred Klingenberg of Okawville, who lived on and worked the Kochamohr famiy farm that Violet loved so much and is still farmed by their son John (Becky) Klingenberg today.

Violet maintained a keen interest in farming throughout her life through her ties to the family farm in Okawville.

Violet was always a modest, practical person and true to character, it was her wish to be cremated and have no memorial service. Interment of her ashes will take place next to her deceased husband in  St. Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in St. Louis.

Memorials in her memory can be made to the American Heart Association.

At her request, there will be no services.