Viola Lillehaugen

Viola Lillehaugen, 103, died peacefully at Madonna Towers in Rochester, MN, on October 11, 2014.

Viola Mariam Sandford was born to John and Augusta (Nowek) Sandford January 17, 1911, in Walsh County, North Dakota. As a young girl she worked with her Dad in his garage in Whitman, ND, selling gas and fixing tires. As a teenager she was able to drive her Model T to Fordville, ND, for her last two years of high school. She graduated from Mayville State Teachers College and taught school for 26 years in Nelson and Walsh counties. After retiring from teaching she picked potatoes in the fall for several years. She married Tollef Lillehaugen on June 6, 1934, and they farmed in Walsh County for 58 years until his death on September 29, 1992. Viola continued to live in their home on the farm until she was 101 years old. At that time she moved into assisted living in Rochester, MN. Viola was a member of Sarnia United Lutheran Church, was active in Ladies Aid where she held several offices, was a charter member of Whitman Homemakers for 77 years, an active Farmers Union member, served as President of the Nelson County Cancer Society, and in 1987 became active in the ND Association for the Blind after being diagnosed with Macular Degeneration. She continued to help support the NDAB walk-a-thons and walked in the last one when she was 96 years old. She enjoyed needlework, quilting, traveling, cooking, baking, and spending time with her friends and family. Even when she became legally blind due to Macular Degeneration she continued to make quilts not only for her family members, but for Lutheran World Relief and to children terminally ill with AIDS in hospitals throughout the country. She made and donated 1,000 quilts. Every stitch contained a lot of love, patience, and dedication that can be treasured for a lifetime. Her warmth, strength, and determination kept her going for many years. All of her family members kept telling her that she was an inspiration to all of us. Viola always said, "I am proud of the six children we had. They all have families I am proud of. I think our family is special because we are close, caring, and loving."

She is survived by her children, Vern (Linda) Lillehaugen of Santa Cruz, CA, Helen (Adolf ) Walser of Rochester, MN, Maynard (DeLores) Lillehaugen of Brocket, ND, Lyle (Scherion) Lillehaugen of Camarillo, CA, Carol Jean (Jay) Stephens of Eagan, MN, and Barbara Swalley of Alexandria, MN; fifteen grandchildren; twenty seven great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Tollef Lillehaugen; her brother, Edmund Sandford; her sister, Evelyn Skjervem; and her son-in-law, Kirk Swalley.

The Funeral Service for Viola will be held on Saturday, October 25, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. at Sarnia United Lutheran Church in Whitman, ND. Officiating will be the Reverend Barbara Koenig. Burial will be in the West Forest Cemetery, rural Whitman. The casketbearers will be Troy Lillehaugen, Grant Lillehaugen, Luke Lillehaugen, Scott Stephens, Michael Swalley, and Garrett Kolar. Visitation will be held at the Aaker Funeral Home in Lakota, ND, on Friday, beginning at 5:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue at the church on Saturday, from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service.

Viola supported and would be honored if memorials would be sent to West Forest Cemetery Fund or North Dakota Association for the Blind ( www.NDAB.org ).