Funeral Services for Coralynn will be held on Wednesday, May 8, 2019, at the Le Grand Friends Church at 11:00 a.m. with a visitation held one hour and a half before start of services. Mitchell Family Funeral Home is caring for Coralynn and her family.

Coralynn was a vivacious wife, mother of 4, sister, grandmother of 11, great-grandmother of 15 and great-great grandmother of 5. She loved to sing, play the piano, paint, garden, camp and travel. But most of all, she loved to share a bible verse, a word of encouragement or in some way share a story about her faith in Jesus Christ. She will be missed by many for her charm and generosity.

Coralynn was born in Boyden, Iowa, on June 3, 1938 to Ora and Jacob Van Diepen. She spoke proudly of her parents and loved that they had chosen her middle name as “Leilani” after meeting the crown Princess Ka’uilani of Hawaii while on their honeymoon. Later in life, grandchildren nicknamed Coralynn “Princess Peach” because of her “royal” linage and engaging spirit.

Coralynn married Harvey Gene Vis of Hull, Iowa, on August 6, 1954. After son Loran was born, she moved to Camp Hanford, Richland, Washington so she could be with Harvey, who was then stationed in the Army. After moving back to Iowa, daughter Vicky was born and the family moved to Marshalltown, Iowa where children Don and Shannon were born. The couple lived in Marshalltown where they owned Vis Roofing, LTD., with their sons, until retiring to live in Apache Junction, Arizona in the winter and Le Grand, Iowa in the summer.

In her early career, Coralynn worked in retail for Willard Furs, BOS Freight Lines, Kreskes Shoes, and Goodyear Tire. She told stories about having to wear high heeled shoes at work and how painful they were to wear; yet after leaving retail, she still chose to wear heels most of her life.

Coralynn later worked as a U.S. rural route Mail carrier, did accounting for the family’s heating, cooling, gutters, and roofing businesses, and sold life insurance. She was also active politically within the Republican party and was a member of a singing support group promoting President Ronald Reagan called “Dutch’s Dollies.”

Coralynn’s life, spirit and legacy are a testament to her love of church and family. Throughout the years she led bible study fellowships and helped start and grow the church in her Arizona retirement community. She played piano and organ for thousands of church services over the years and loved to sing in the church choir. Additionally, she sang with the group called “Reflection” that traveled to nursing homes, churches and festivals singing gospel music. She was a member of the Le Grand Friends Church and Center Street Baptist Church.

Following the passing of husband Harvey in 2010, Coralynn met and married Billy Huff, of Marshalltown. They were able to share two fabulous years together before Bill’s passing in 2018.

Among her favorite hobbies, Coralynn had a passion for oil painting, leaving at least 108 framed oil paintings in existence and on display today.

Coralynn was preceded in death by her mother Ora, her father Jacob, her loving husband Harvey, her baby sister Crystal, her second husband Bill and a grandchild Ryan.

She is survived by her brother Don (Joan) Van Diepen; children: Loran (Florence) Vis, Vicky (Mark) Grossman, Don (Beverly) Vis, Shannon (Aaron) Mitchell; grandchildren: Tony (Rita) Vis, Dustin (Alison) Vis, Kyle Grossman, Jamie (Korey) Kreimeyer, Christian Vis, David (Irasema) Turk, Carrington (Brian) Stalzer, Tanner Mitchell, Natalie (Tade) Kernt, Abby (Jason) Reese; great grandchildren: Brandon (Brooke) Vis, Brianna (Drew) Brown, Mariah Vis, Ashley Vis, Tiffany Vis, Lauren (Tyler) Dickenson, Natalya Turk, Heaton Kernt, Kelby Kernt, Kylie Kernt, Parker Reese, Preston Reese, Paxson Reese, Paycen Reese, Pearson Reese and great-great grandchildren: Memphis, Landrie, Brayden, Graysen, and Kaizley.