Monday, September 5, 2011

Aunt Violet

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…

Ervin Violet and Geraldine 1951 (2) 

My Uncle Ervin, Aunt Violet and my cousin Geraldine in 1951.

Violet and Hilda 1951 (2)

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:)

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25 comments:

Cathie said...

Deepest sympathies. I'm assuming this is Hilda's mother? Please pass on my condolences!

Anonymous said...

My 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.

Gail said...

Your Aunt Violet seemed to be a very wonderful person.

She remains in the hearts of all who loved her.

DJan said...

Condolences to you and all the others who will miss her. Thank you for the portrait of a gentle soul.

thecrazysheeplady said...

What a neat lady. Deepest sympathies to you all.

Country Gal said...

So sorry for your loss !
She sounded like a lovely person. She will always be in your hearts and memeories.

linda m said...

My deepest sympathies.

Dreaming said...

I'm so sorry. Thanks for opening a window so we could see your Aunt Violet. She sounds like she was a spunky lady!

lisa said...

Always hard to lose some one dear but she does sound like she was an amazing Aunt! My sincere condolences!

Lynda said...

It 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.

L. D. said...

She 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.

Nancy/BLissed-Out Grandma said...

It 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!

Anonymous said...

So sorry to hear about your loss.

Ann said...

So 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.

Karmyn R said...

Aunt Violet sounded like a great lady! I would have liked to have met her and listened to her stories.

Just Stuff From a Boomer said...

She 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.

My heart is with you.

Red said...

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.

LindaG said...

So that's where you get your love for woodworking.
*hugs* ♥

Intense Guy said...

My sympathies.

She will be greatly missed -

Terry and Linda said...

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.
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com

Terry and Linda said...

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.
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com

Terry and Linda said...

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.
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com

Terry and Linda said...

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.
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com

Pamela said...

Every color of the rainbow... including Violet

Lanny said...

Okay, 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.