Jan. 9, 2008

by John Naughton, The Des Moines Register

Des Moines, Ia. - Grand View College's Le Ann Stefani, who continued to coach volleyball despite a 3-year struggle with cancer, lost her battle with the disease Friday.

Stefani, 39, had coached the Vikings since 1997. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004.

She's survived by husband Jeff Anderlik and daughter Carlie of Ankeny.

Stefani will be remembered as a courageous woman who used her position as a coach to draw attention to the fight against cancer. She led 21 of her players in an October Race for the Cure event in Des Moines.

"Even when she was hurting inside, she didn't let it show," said Tanna Slings, a senior outside hitter for the Vikings.

Stefani was featured in an October Des Moines Register article. She refused to let cancer rob her positive attitude toward life.

"God knows when you've got to go," Stefani said then, "but that doesn't say how you have to get there. I plan to skid on in at the last minute, hooting and hollering."

She won more than 100 matches in her career. This fall's team finished 9-28.

A wake will be held from 4-7 p.m. at Our Lady's Immaculate Heart Catholic Church in Ankeny. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Monday at the church.