Rochelle Elaine Stripe

Rochelle Elaine Stripe, a fiery spirit with a beautiful soul, gained her angel wings at home on the morning of January 17th, 2026. Rochelle lived her life with faith and love for God and her family, along with a contagious sense of humor, generosity, and a healthy dose of stubbornness. She was classy, with a taste for the finer things, yet wonderfully human in all the ways that made her unforgettable.

Born on April 19, 1956, in Des Moines, Iowa, to Carol Jean (Halfhill) Stripe and William "Bill" Eugene Stripe, Rochelle grew up surrounded by family and the challenges that shaped her into the resilient woman she became. As a young woman, she loved the outdoors; the freedom of open skies, the thrill of discovering new places, and the joy of vacationing and adventuring wherever her spirit led her. Becoming a young mother taught her strength, perseverance, and love, and those qualities stayed with her throughout her life. She spent many years living in sunny California in the Palm Springs area

Rochelle was preceded in death by her beloved son, Shawn Patrick Stripe; her parents, Carol and Bill; and her siblings Randy Eudene Stripe, Rebecca Eloise "Beckie" Pettinger, and Rosemary Eileen "Rose" Pettinger.
She is survived by her loving daughter, Emilee Sabra Huffstetler, who was constantly in touch with her through their daily calls/ video calls. Rochelle is also survived by her sisters, Renee Elizabeth Groat and Rhonda Ellen Bohall, forever cherishing the bond they shared.

Her legacy continues through her grandchildren Devin Matthew Perry, Logan Patrick Stripe, Lauren Nicole Stripe, and Katelyn Marie Stripe, and through her great grandchildren Hayden Michael Stripe, Lillian Kay Stripe, Easton Korte, and Baylor Korte.

Losing Beckie, Shawn, and Rose left deep marks on her heart. She had already endured the heartbreak of losing her partner, Scott Perez Jr., sadly taken from her in 2016, who she loved deeply and missed. After these losses, she went through a long period of grief and withdrawal, but in time, she found the strength to pull herself out of that darkness. She slowly began attending family events again, reconnecting with the people she loved, and reclaiming pieces of herself that grief had tried to take.
Rochelle cherished her daily phone calls with her daughter, and every conversation she shared with her sisters, nieces, family, and friends. She loved lively, witty exchanges and often invented new words that would have everyone cracking up. After a long day of appointments - of which she had many in the past year - she found comfort in talking about her day and connecting with the people she loved.

Nothing lit her up quite like talking about her son Shawn. She cherished the laughter they shared, the movies they watched together, and when he played guitar for her. She missed him deeply and carried his memory with tenderness and love, speaking of him often. Rochelle also spoke proudly of Emilee's devotion to Devin, her sobriety, her marriage, and the home they are building in Lucas. Rochelle was especially proud of her beloved son Shawn's talent and dedication as an electrician and carpenter. She was always pushing him to work harder, to test for his master's license, and to use his talent to its fullest. She always said he was the best there was - and everyone reading this knows she was right.
Rochelle loved getting out when she could - thrifting with her nieces and sisters, grabbing lunch, or attending family get togethers. In her later years, after losing Beckie, Shawn, and Rose, those gatherings became even more meaningful to her. She held her family close, and she never missed a chance to tell them how proud she was. She was stubborn in the most endearing way, always ready to help someone in need, even if she might argue with them first. Her humor, her spark, her elegance, and her fierce loyalty made her impossible not to love.

As we work to gather the funds needed to give Rochelle the meaningful memorial she deserves, contributions in lieu of flowers would be sincerely appreciated. A donation link will be shared soon through friends and family on social media." Her Celebration of Life will be held to honor Rochelle and the many lives she touched in the coming 4-6 weeks. Details will be shared with family and friends as funds are raised and arrangements are finalized.

"Those we love never truly leave us. They live on in the kindness they shared, the love they gave, and the memories we hold in our hearts and souls."

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