Viola Asleson, age 92, of Ulen, Minnesota, died Saturday, October 13, 2007, in the Viking Manor Nursing Home, Ulen.

Viola Beatrice Asleson was born on a farm in Goose Prairie Township, Clay County, Minnesota, on October 11, 1915, to the family of Oscar J. and Sophie (Hammer) Olson.

She attended country school at Sunnyside School, rural Hitterdal, Minnesota, until 1929, when she entered Ulen High School, graduating in 1933. While in high school she was active in music, singing many solos at different occasions. After high school she did house work for several families.

On September 26, 1935 Viola was united in marriage to Ordell T. Asleson at her father's farm, rural Ulen. For the first year they farmed in the Ulen area. They lived in Minneapolis for two years and for a time in Moorhead, Minnesota, moving back to Ulen in 1944, after purchasing the local blacksmith shop.

Viola did a lot of sewing for different people and remodeling clothes also. She worked at a lefse plant for two seasons and also at the Ulen Drug Store for two years. She then attended the University of Minnesota in Morris, taking classes in Early Childhood Education.

She was employed by the Clay-Wilkin Opportunity Council for 24 years. The first seven years she worked as an Outreach Aide organizing Senior Citizen's groups, Community Action Group, starting a vegetable market and used clothing store, as well as helping with referrals and the needs of people. For 17 years she was a Head Start Teacher in the Ulen, Hitterdal, and Felton areas.

Viola was active in community affairs. She was a Cub Scout Den Mother for several years, was the first treasurer of the Ulen Band Parents, a charter member of the Ulen Senior Citizens, belonged to the local Art Group and Craft Club, and did volunteer work at the Viking Manor Nursing Home in Ulen, the Senior Citizen's, Oak Grove High School, and others.

For many years Viola and her husband Ordell opened their hearts and home to foster children caring for children from infants to teenagers. Some stayed with them for two to five years.

Viola was an active member of the Bethlehem Lutheran church where she was a life long member. She taught Sunday School for over 25 years, served on the Church Council, served as president of the WELCA and Mission Growth Secretary. She was also active on the Prayer Chain, the Quilter's Group, and was honored to serve as a Mentor to Confirmation Youth and the Motherwise Bible Study Group. From 1990 to 1992 she served as recorder for the Prairieland Conference Cluster of the Northwestern Minnesota Synod of the ELCA. In 2002 she was named Clay County Outstanding Senior Citizen.

In addition to her work and her volunteering, Viola loved crafts, but most of all she loved people and especially children.

Viola is survived by three sons, Dr. Bruce (Margaret), Big Cormorant Lake, MN, Rev. Mark (Sandy), Moorhead, MN, Ornell (Mary), Overland Park, Kansas; two daughters, Dianne (Olaf) Haugo, Hawley, MN and Lois (Lary) Edwards, Ulen, MN; a sister, Eldora Ashmore, Moorhead, MN; grandchildren, Dr. Cathy (John) Dundon, Joni (Craig) Casey, Sara Haugo, Sally (Paul) Ostenson, Rachel (Melissa Tomlinson) Asleson, Dr. John Asleson, Amiee (Ryan) Dorrheim, Brent (Jamie Hahn) Johnson, and Derrick (Tara) Johnson , David (Amy) Asleson, Brett (Kate) Asleson, Meghan Asleson, Joshua Kent, Matthew Edwards, Jacob Edwards,; great-grandchildren, Colin Casey, Nicole Casey, Hank Dundon, Millie Dundon, Will Ostenson, Cole Asleson, Savannah Kent, and Lydia Dorrheim.

She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, brother, Harvey and daughter-in-law, Phyllis.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, October 20, 2007 at 2:00 PM in Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Ulen. Visitation will be held on Friday, October 19 from 5PM until 7PM with a Prayer Service at 7PM in Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Ulen. Visitation will also be one hour before services at the church on Saturday. Officiating will be Pastor John Martinson with Carol Lockhart serving as organist and Rhonda Rian serving as vocalist. Pallbearers will be all of her grandchildren.

Interment will be in North Bethlehem Lutheran Cemetery, Ulen, Minnesota.

Arrangements are entrusted to
Anderson Funeral Home, Twin Valley, MN
Online Guestbook at www.andersonfuneralhome.tv