NORRIS CITY – Victoria Bess Steffl-Whipple, of Norris City, IL, was born on June 18, 1970 at St. Louis Hospital in St. Louis, MO to Brenda Forshee and David Steffl of Festus, MO. On Thursday, February 15th, 2024, Victoria was called home at 5:30 a.m. in her home, peacefully asleep and surrounded by her children.
Victoria spent most of her career in the home health care field, caring for the elderly and disabled. She then started her job at the Norris City American Legion Indian Creek Post #109 as a bartender, only to move up to manager shortly after. She enjoyed the fast pace and her loyal customers. She also spent one to two days per week cleaning houses for extra money, and because she was the best housekeeper around.
Victoria met her soon-to-be husband, Carl Whipple, of Norris City, at her job working at the American Legion. They quickly bonded over his kind and caring nature towards her, and formed a very loving and dedicated relationship to one another. They decided to get married in 2017. She then cared for him until he went home on June 13, 2020. She planted her roots in his hometown.
Victoria devoted her whole life to giving her children the best life possible, filled with love and light. She enjoyed spending time at the beach, spending quality time with her grandkids, watching TV, thrift shopping, and going to yard sales. She donated to multiple charities and considered taking care of others as one of her favorite things to do. Her favorite animal was a sloth, because “they’re slow and lazy and just hanging around.” Anyone who met Victoria would remember her for her contagious laugh and beautiful soul. To her children, she hung the moon. She was strong, resilient, hard working, hard loving, and kind. Being a mother was the most important thing in her life.
Victoria is survived by her daughter Tessa Skye, her son Danny Michael & wife Kimberly Graenser, her son Jay Contello & wife Jennifer Contello, her sisters Shelly Pierce, Joy Johnson, and Tateyanna Steffl, 9 grandchildren, several nieces, nephews, and cousins, and her beloved pet Birdie.
She was preceded in death by her mother Brenda Forshee who passed away August 15, 2015, her father David Steffl who passed away October 18, 2013, her husband Carl Whipple who passed away June 13, 2020, and her beloved daughter Tasha Lynn Contello who passed away September 30, 2019.
No formal services will be held at this time, but a Celebration of Life ceremony will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Gholson Funeral Home to assist with final expenses, and will be accepted at Gholson Funeral Home in McLeansboro, IL.
Online condolences and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.gholsonfuneralhome.com.