Violet R. Anderson

Violet "Vi" R. Anderson, 71, Halstad, MN, formerly Shelly, MN, died Sunday, September 18, 2011, at the Halstad Living Center.

Violet Rachel was born on October 19, 1939, to Albert Emil and Martha (Schwiewe) Demeyere on their farm 3 miles north of Alvarado, MN. She joined three brothers and three sisters, and in the following years four more sisters where born, completing a family of eleven. They grew large in love and scarce in material riches. They learned how to share, work and care for each other. Growing up in a large family and being a farmer's daughter was truly a blessing to Vi. The neighbor's kids envied them because they always wanted "to come to the Demeyere house because that's where the fun was". Violet was baptized at Immanuel Lutheran Church of Vega, and on May 16, 1954, was confirmed by the Rev. Walter E. Carlson there. Vi was very active in Church activities. She attended Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, Mission Society and Luther League. Vi attended Excelsior District 19W country school near the family farm She graduated Salutatorian from Alvarado High School in 1957. After graduating Vi's first job was with Mutual Life Insurance of New York in New York City. After 11/2 years she returned home when her mother died. She then attended Bemidji State College and after a year she returned to Clifton, NJ where she worked for General Electric Company. Vi moved back to Minnesota in June 1963. She attended and graduated in October 1964, from Bethesda, a school of Practical Nursing, in Crookston, MN.

On October 10, 1964, Violet was united in marriage to Norris Anderson at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Warren, MN. They made their home in Shelly, MN, and Vi worked for Dr. Brown at the Halstad Clinic until they moved to Albert Lea, MN, in 1966. She then worked briefly at Albert Lea Paint and Glass and at the office of First Lutheran Church in Albert Lea until the adoption of their son. On November 12, 1970, a beautiful two month old little boy, Paul, came into their lives and Vi enjoyed being a "stay at home" mom for a few years. Later she worked at St. John's Lutheran Memorial Home until she was forced to take a medical leave because of rheumatoid arthritis. In August 1984, they moved back to Shelly and Vi found out she had COPD.

Vi was a member of First Lutheran Church in Albert Lea, President of Church Women, member of the Church Council, Sunday School teacher, serving group unit chairman, and many offices in the ALCW. She was a Cub Scout Den Leader, President of the Halstad Lutheran Memorial Home, Auxillary member, active in SMR Welca and quilting.



Vi enjoyed all kinds of needle work such as sewing, knitting, crocheting. She loved to eat out, travel, and help people out. Her truest pleasure was her grandchildren. She loved having them come to the farm and stay. They especially enjoyed having Vi tell them stories of the "Olden Days" when she was growing up. She taught them how to sew, crafts, cooking, baking, and songs so they could sing in the car. Vi told her family "Life's nothing if you don't help people-even if it's praying for them."

Vi is survived by her brothers, Stanley (Lois) Demeyere, Warren, MN, Russell (Clarice) Demeyere, Cando, ND, Arthur (Bonnie) Demeyere, Fridley, MN, sisters, Edna Huesman, Rutherford, NJ, Ida Nelson, Warren, MN, Freida (John) Quicker, Spring Hill, FL, Margaret (Larry) Ulrich, St. Hilaire, MN, Rosalyn (Clyde) Rosten, Spring Hill, FL, Carolyn (Arden) Bohach Hawley, MN, and Susan (Ron) Carlson, Colorado Springs, CO, her grandchildren, Brandy Anderson, Briana Anderson, Tristan Anderson, Zoe Anderson, and Dominique Peterson, a sister-in-law, Rosie Demeyere, Thief River Falls, MN, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Norris, son, Paul, brothers, Robert Demeyere, Raymond Demeyere, Henry Klause, and Leonard Klause.

Memorial Service: 2:00PM Wednesday, September 21, 2011, at Shelly Marsh River Lutheran Church, Shelly, MN.

Visitation: Tuesday from 5-7PM with a 7PM prayer service at Fredrikson Valley Funeral Home, Halstad, MN.

Burial: Shelly, MN Cemetery.