Viola Anderson

Viola Josephine Anderson, 92, of Paton, passed away on April 26 at Bethany Life in Story City.

Viola Josephine Neve, the daughter of Elmer and Dagmar (Sorensen) Neve, was born on Nov. 13, 1927, in Council Bluffs.

Viola was baptized and confirmed at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Council Bluffs. She attended Pierce Elementary School and graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School in 1945. Viola attended Dana College in Blair, Neb., transferring to Iowa State Teachers College (UNI), where she received her teaching certificate in 1947.

Viola’s first job was teaching first grade in Boxholm for two years. She lived in the teacherage with other young teachers, forging friendships that lasted their entire lives. 

Viola married Gordon Floyd Anderson on Sept. 25, 1949, in Council Bluffs. Together they farmed the family farm near Paton for 34 years. They were blessed with five sons: Paul, John, Neil, Gail and Karl.  

When Karl started school, Viola returned to teaching, this time in Paton. She first taught the second semester of Neil’s fourth-grade class. Then for the next 10 years, she taught first grade in Paton.

Summers from 1964 to 1971 were spent taking college classes at Drake University. Viola received her bachelor’s degree in education in 1971.

Lastly, she taught reading for 10 years at Grand Community Schools in Boxholm and Pilot Mound.

At the 50-year high school class reunion of her first class, Viola, an honored guest, distributed the students’ drawn pictures, which she had kept all those years, to the surprised and delighted students.

Viola was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Boxholm, teaching Sunday school and adult Bible study. She was a member of WELCA and the Women’s Circles. Volunteer involvement included working at the Ogden Food Pantry, visiting at nursing homes, driving people, serving church dinners, serving on the board of Genesis of Greene County and helping wherever needed.   

Viola was actively involved in her children and grandchildren’s lives. She traveled regularly for games, concerts and school events.

Viola traveled extensively, taking trips to Canada, Greece, France, Japan and China, as well as to Alaska, Hawaii and a Mississippi River tour. She was always up for a game of Scrabble, a Dairy Queen hot fudge sundae, and there wasn’t a jigsaw puzzle she couldn’t solve. 

She is survived by her sons: Paul (Robin), of Prairie Du Sac, Wis.; John (Benita), of New Hartford; Neil, of Paton; Gail (Catherine), of San Diego; and Karl (Sharon), of Mitchellville; 21 grandchildren, 37 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson. She is also survived by her cousin, Duane (Betty) Lee, of Spickard, Mo.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Gordon; and her brother, Raymond Neve.

Correspondence and memorials for Trinity Lutheran Church and Bethany Life may be sent to the Anderson family at Neil Anderson, 2419 130th St., Paton, IA 50217.

Interment was at Lawn Cemetery in Boxholm.

Carson-Stapp Funeral Home in Ogden has been entrusted with arrangements. Visit www.carsonstappfuneralhome.com for online condolences.