Vivian, lovingly known as Skee, passed over into peace around sunrise on Mother's Day, a fitting end to a beautiful life, whose focus was on her family. Born on May 11th, 1917 in Clements, Minnesota, Skee was one of two sisters born to Lillian and William Netzke whose families on both sides emigrated from Germany in the mid 1800's.

Skee graduated from Rochester School of Nursing and was working in Rochester, MN. as a Registered Nurse when she met Leslie Lee Van Pelt who was stationed in Rochester during Military Service. The rest was history; the pilot and the nurse were captivated with each other. After a brief dating period the couple was engaged and a marriage of 56 years followed, ending only upon Lee's death in 1998.

In 1946, the young Van Pelt family moved to Clayton, NM to assist Lee's father, Fred Van Pelt with his business, Union Title and Loan. Upon the death of Fred, Lee took over the family business and eventually Leslie Van Pelt Taylor and Gayle Van Pelt Maynes joined the staff at "the Office". Lee and Skee raised their 4 children, Bill, Leslie, Wendy Van Pelt Libby and Gayle in Clayton and enjoyed the benefits of a small town. Skee always said that "Clayton was good to us; it was a good town to raise a family."

Skee started working as a nurse at Union County General Hospital shortly after it was built. Her legacy as a great nurse lives on as many people in Union County still discuss how she influenced the sick and their families during her nursing career. It came natural to Skee to "help" people. Her generosity reached many, and the Van Pelt home was never void of the voices of children, teens and friends as they entertained and just enjoyed sharing their lives with others. All those who knew her could testify of her quick wit and spunky personality. She had a unique ability to be classy and hilarious at the same time.

Mrs. Van Pelt is survived by families of her 4 children; Bill Van Pelt and wife, Kathy, of Roswell NM, Leslie Van Pelt-Taylor and husband Virgil of Clayton, Wendy Van Pelt- Libby and Husband Jr. of Bueyeros, NM and Gayle Van Pelt-Maness and husband Richard of Dalhart, TX. She is also survived by Grandchildren, Bryce Taylor, Brett Taylor, Kevin Van Pelt, Ryan Van Pelt, Lisa Libby-Davis, Leslie Libby, Tres Libby, Nicole Libby, Megan Libby, 11 great grandchildren and 1 great, great granddaughter.

It was Skee's prayer "for God to take her so she could be with Lee". We feel her prayers were answered and a celebration service was held on what would have been Skee's 94th birthday, Wednesday, May 11, at 10:00 in First Methodist Church in Clayton with Rev. Jay Jones, Pastor and Rev. Billy Ramage Pastor of First Baptist Church, Clayton. Graveside services followed at Clayton Memorial Cemetery by Hass Funeral Directors of Clayton. Friends and family gathered for lunch and fellowship at First United Methodist Church of Clayton following graveside services.

In Lieu of flowers, the family requests support of a memorial fund for Clayton General Hospital.