Violet Halland, age 81, of Bejou, Minnesota, died Tuesday, August 14, 2007, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident.

Violet Irene, the daughter of Albert and Manda (Hillestad) Ose, was born November 15, 1925, on a farm near Gary, Minnesota. She attended country school east of Bejou and received further schooling in Mahnomen and Fosston.

As a young woman, Violet worked as a waitress and worked for her aunt and uncle, sister and brother in-law. On December 31, 1945, she was united in marriage to John Van Den Einde in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. John and Violet farmed near Bejou, where they raised their six children. John passed away June 30, 1974.

On June 7, 1975, Violet married Albert Sweep. They were married seven years until his death on February 9, 1982. She later married Stanley Halland on June 21, 1984. Violet and Stan made their home in Bejou for 11 years, until Stan's death on December 16, 1995. Violet continued to make her home in Bejou, a community she loved. In 1965 Violet received the Rural Community Leadership Award.

In addition to working on the farm, Violet later worked at the Moon Room in Bejou, the Winger Liquor Store, managed the Bejou Liquor Store and drove school bus.

Violet cherished her family and friends. She enjoyed meeting her friends for coffee at the store, playing bingo, reading, playing cards, doing crossword and jigsaw puzzles and playing cards, oh,did we mention playing cards? Violet also liked making lefse and in recent years taught others the art of her lefse making. Violet was a member of Ness Lutheran Church and Immanuel Lutheran Church where she was an active member of the Ladies Aid. She also held memberships with VFW Auxiliary, Homemakers Club, card party groups, Birthday Club and was on the Senior Citizen Housing Board in Bejou. In her younger years, Violet was also involved in a softball league.

Violet is survived by one daughter, Carol (Ron) Berger, Pelican Rapids, MN; five sons: John Jr. of Bejou, MN, Jerry (Judy) of St. Joseph, MN, Wesley (Cherryl), Moorhead, MN, Bruce (Carol), Gardner, ND, and Ronald (Jaynna), Mesa, AZ; one brother Duane (Sharon) Ose of Elk River, MN; one sister Ruby Reemts of St. Michael, MN; 14 grandchildren: Regie, Michele, Tony, Sheila, Connie, Jay, Bryan, Heather, Derek, Jade, Shallyn, Josh, Jared and John; 13 great-grandchildren: Brooke, Sydney, Cole, Thomas, Kayla, Ashley, Zachary, Brianna, Noah, Evan, Nolan, Brady and Kyle; many nieces and nephews; Albert?s children: Joyce (Lee) Demere and Beatrice (Tom) Hayen; six grandchildren: Cassalene, Cassandra (Jerome), Clintin, Christopher, Dalena and Natalie; four great-grandchildren: Carolyn, Joseph, Kayla and Morgan; Stan?s children, Bruce (Gloria) Halland, Lori (Gary) Halland-Ward and LaVonn Halland; six grandchildren: Ashley, Amber, Allison, Sheila (Roy), Robin (Shari) and Douglas; and three great-grandchildren: Scott, Brianna and Dylan.

Violet was preceded in death by her parents; three husbands; three sisters: Bertha, Lila and Myrtle; six brothers: Norman, Alan, Raymond, Lester, Ervin, and infant brother, Duane; one step-daughter, Gayle; and one step-son, Steve.