Violet Anderson

Violet Anderson, age 101, Rosholt, SD, passed away peacefully Sunday, October 15, 2017, at the Traverse Care Center in Wheaton, MN.

Funeral services will be Thursday, October 19, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Lutheran Church, rural Rosholt, with Rev. Suzanne Benidt and Rev. Sheila Pohl officiating.  Music will be provided by organist Diane Bartnick and vocalists Paul and Diane Bartnick, Swede and Pam Anderson, Bruce Schumacher and Sheree Hogan.

Burial will be in the St. Joseph Cemetery, rural Rosholt.  Honorary pallbearers will be the Community Quilters and the St. Joseph WELCA.  Active pallbearers will be grandchildren, Tiphanie Dirnberger, Andre Bergstrom, Adam Sand, Benjamin Sand and Mara Walter.

Visitation will be Wednesday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Eggers Funeral Home in Rosholt and will continue Thursday one hour prior to the service at the church.

Edna Violet Nelson Anderson was born September 29, 1916 to Philip and Josephine (Olson) Nelson in their home south of Rosholt. She was baptized and confirmed in Trondhjem Lutheran Church. She attended a Harmon Township country school and then boarded in Rosholt for high school during the drought and depression, graduating in 1934. Shortly after high school, she served as a 4-H leader in the neighborhood. Violet worked for families in Osakis, MN; Waseca, MN; Meredian, Idaho; Alexandria, MN; and Wheaton, MN.

She married John L. Anderson June 15, 1942, on her parents' farm in rural Rosholt. They were blessed with five children:  John Philip, Annette Renee, Janet Kae, Jean Karen and Lana Marie.  The family attended St. Joseph Lutheran Church where Violet sang alto in the choir, taught Sunday School and enjoyed the companionship of her ladies aid group.

Violet was well known for her amazing "granny buns" and other homemade breads. Children came home to caramel rolls straight from the oven. Men visiting Johnny always managed to arrive about 11:45 a.m. and the legend of homemade bread was passed on from game warden to game warden. Violet was an avid gardener: flowers, vegetables and fruit. The pantry was always full of home canned goods. Sugar and ginger cookies were hidden but accessible to grandchildren.

Playing the piano was Violet's daily joy and she even consented to play hymns at church one Sunday at the age of 96 (but not the liturgy!). Violet was a wonderful seamstress who enjoyed creating garments for her children and grandchildren but didn't want to make the same pattern twice. She took painting lessons at age 60 and painted beautiful birds, barns, landscapes and ocean scenes. Each grandchild received a special painting.

In her later years, Violet joined the Community Quilters and sewed quilt tops at home almost every day. Then once a month, the group gathered to tie the quilts. She looked forward to this social outing for which she always brought oatmeal bread to share for lunch.

Violet loved watching birds at her feeders, especially the hummingbirds and orioles. She appreciated the wonders of God's creation and looked forward to spring growth and bird migrations especially sandhill cranes.  She daily read devotions and her Bible. Her faith and belief in Christ as her Savior brought her through life's many trials.

Violet was preceded in death by her son Philip, father, mother, daughter Jean Hruby, husband Johnny, sister Gladys Robert and brothers Lloris, Virgil and Lincoln Nelson.  She is survived by her daughters Renee (Gene) Bergstrom of Lanesboro, MN; Janet (Jerry) Ryan of Byfield, MA; Lana (Paul) Sand of Rosholt;  grandchildren Tiphanie (Mark) Dirnberger, Keith (Alison Bailes) Ryan, Andre Bergstrom, Ann (Tom Colley) Hruby, Donovan Bergstrom, Kimberly Ryan, Paul (Hedi) Hruby, Adam (Sonja) Sand, John (Izumi) Ryan, Benjamin (Natalie) Sand, Mara (Seth) Walter;  twenty-five great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; sister-in-law LaVae Nelson; plus many nieces and nephews.

Violet's work ethic and healthy living contributed to her longevity and inspired all who knew her.