I saw Aunt Violet a few weeks ago at the family picnic. She was looking painfully thin and frail. Last Friday morning she gave up the fight in this world and died.
She made the best dumplings you have ever tasted. I loved visiting their house when she was making dumplings.
She was an awesome woodworker and woodcarver. Far Guy and I took a woodcarving class with her one winter. She went on to carve a Merry Go Round horse for each of her children.
When she lived nearby, I would stop by and visit. One day I stopped by and she said “Come on in, but you can’t stay long, I have Widows Club today here at my house.” Not wanting to upset her preparations I had a quick cup of coffee and was on my way. “Widows Club” was formed by a bunch of women who were all widowed, they took turns cooking lunch and hosting the group. They met once a month. It was a highlight of the month for many of the widowed women in our area.
Her four children will miss her, her sisters will miss her, and all those Grandkids and Great Grands…
My Uncle Ervin, Aunt Violet and my cousin Geraldine in 1951.
Aunt Violet and my cousin Hilda in April of 1951.
The funeral is Monday, there will be a sermon about grace and about how we are all saved by grace through faith. There will be a trip out to the cemetery high on the hill. Afterwards there will be a lunch with Finnish flatbread and sliced meats and cheese and a hotdish and Jello salads of every color of the rainbow and all kind of cakes and bars and coffee:)
Deepest sympathies. I'm assuming this is Hilda's mother? Please pass on my condolences!
ReplyDeleteMy deepest sympathy to the family. Thank you for sharing the photos and a little bit about her life. I know she will be greatly missed.
ReplyDeleteYour Aunt Violet seemed to be a very wonderful person.
ReplyDeleteShe remains in the hearts of all who loved her.
Condolences to you and all the others who will miss her. Thank you for the portrait of a gentle soul.
ReplyDeleteWhat a neat lady. Deepest sympathies to you all.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry for your loss !
ReplyDeleteShe sounded like a lovely person. She will always be in your hearts and memeories.
My deepest sympathies.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry. Thanks for opening a window so we could see your Aunt Violet. She sounds like she was a spunky lady!
ReplyDeleteAlways hard to lose some one dear but she does sound like she was an amazing Aunt! My sincere condolences!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like she lived life to the fullest - - enjoyed people and productive activities. I admire your family's talents with the woodworking. That takes patience, skill, and artistic ability. Although Aunt Violet will be missed by many on earth, it sounds like you will have a good celebration of her life as you all say your final farewells today.
ReplyDeleteShe sounded like such a great woman. She loved life and continued on after she lost her husband. She will be missed and the family moves on into it's next stage without parents. We never get use to it but we take it in stride. I am sorry for the family's loss.
ReplyDeleteIt appears that she was a lovely lady in lots of ways. I'm sorry for your loss. I do love your description of all the funeral foods. Hotdish, Jello salads, bars, coffee...all so familiar to a Minnesotan!
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear about your loss.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear about your loss. I know how much I miss now being able to go and visit those favoite Aunt & Uncles anymore. So glad we can carry them in our hearts.
ReplyDeleteAunt Violet sounded like a great lady! I would have liked to have met her and listened to her stories.
ReplyDeleteShe sounds like a true treasure. I'm sure her passing will leave a void. I know you hold dear all she taught you and know she is a part of each piece you carve.
ReplyDeleteMy heart is with you.
Sympathy to you and your family for the loss of your Aunt Violet. These are people who have given us so much and we are attached to them because of what they taught us.
ReplyDeleteSo that's where you get your love for woodworking.
ReplyDelete*hugs* ♥
My sympathies.
ReplyDeleteShe will be greatly missed -
My heart goes out to you and your famiy. this lose of ours ...those who go byond the viel, is ever so very hard. You tribute is perfect.
ReplyDeleteLinda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
My heart goes out to you and your famiy. this lose of ours ...those who go byond the viel, is ever so very hard. You tribute is perfect.
ReplyDeleteLinda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
My heart goes out to you and your famiy. this lose of ours ...those who go byond the viel, is ever so very hard. You tribute is perfect.
ReplyDeleteLinda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
My heart goes out to you and your famiy. this lose of ours ...those who go byond the viel, is ever so very hard. You tribute is perfect.
ReplyDeleteLinda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
Every color of the rainbow... including Violet
ReplyDeleteOkay, I'm all caught up now from being gone and grossly overwhelmed with work. This was my favorite post. I love how tenderly you treat all your people, the things you remember of your women folk, and how you pass that on to your readers. Your words are inspiring. I desire to be remembered for a dumpling or a widow's meeting. Not exactly that but you know, something real, something daily, something that feeds people.
ReplyDelete