Mrs. Staci Beth Wienecke, 53, passed from this life to join her savior and friend on February 8, 2017 in Columbia, SC. Born on July 29, 1963, in Kiowa, KS, she was the daughter of Edward S. Grover and Carole Tucker Grover. She was the beloved wife of Matthew Wienecke, her soul mate and "the best person I ever met". They truly became one. She was the mother of Chandler and Colton Wienecke who were the main focus of her life. She loved raising them and teaching them about life and her strong faith in Christ.

Staci grew up in Byron, Oklahoma. She attended elementary and Jr. High School at Burlington Public Schools and attended High School at Cherokee Public Schools. Staci played the flute for many years during her school years and played in the Oklahoma State University marching band her freshman year. She was also drum major for her high school her senior year. She was president of the State March of Dimes Youth Council. Because of exposure to the Mercy Hospital NICU in Oklahoma City during a March of Dimes activity she became interested in pursuing a career in nursing. She initially attended Oklahoma State University and was eventually a nursing graduate of the University of Oklahoma. Her love for children drew her into pediatric care, and she treasured her time as an NICU and newborn nursery nurse in Oklahoma City, Charleston, SC and later for a brief time before her illness with inflammatory breast cancer, at Palmetto Health Baptist in Columbia, SC. Staci's enjoyment for gardening also led her to employment with Woodley's Garden Center in Columbia. Her home served as both a beautiful garden and a refuge for the many pets that were welcomed into her life. She was unique, strong-spirited and faithful, with a wonderful sense of humor and a passion for life.

Staci attests that her parents instilled in her an incredible work ethic that served her well her entire life. Many life lessons were learned while growing up on a farm. Watching the birth of a newborn calf as well as the death of a beloved pet taught her the circle of life. Faith and hope were learned by watching her daddy plant crop after crop with some years producing an abundant crop and some years a failure. But God always watched over her family and provided for their needs.

Staci is survived by her husband of 27 years, Matthew Wienecke; daughter, Chandler Wienecke; son, Colton Wienecke; parents, Ed and Carole Grover; and brother, Barry Grover (Jenny); Also Surviving are nieces, Calli Grover Erickson and Whitney Grover; great niece, Addie Grover; great nephew, Julian Erickson; and her precious dog, Sugar. She was preceded in death by a brother, Brad, her grandparents, Cyril and Jettie Grover, Claudia and Alton Trotter, and Vern Tucker.

The family will greet friends from 5 until 7 o'clock, Friday, February 10th at Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, 7600 Trenholm Rd. Ext., Columbia. Memorials may be made to Water of Life, PO Box 24151, Greenville, SC 29616; or to the Palmetto Health Foundation, NICU, Taylor at Marion, Columbia, SC 29220. Special thanks are given to James Wells, M.D. with Lexington Oncology, Annabelle with Compassionate Care Hospice, Agape Hospice House and Matthew Wienecke's colleagues who were more than supportive during the course of Staci's lengthy illness.