Viola Herrman was born on May 31, 1911, in the sod house on her parents’ homestead near Hartley, South Dakota, some 35 miles north of Philip. She was the fifth and last child of Leonodos (Lee) Edwards and Louisa (Jennie) Jane Painter Edwards. Viola attended various grade schools and the first two years of high school in the Hartley, Moenville, Nowlin, Elbon, Harding Grove, Milesville, and Marietta areas. She attended Philip High School her junior year and then attended school in Alliance, Nebraska, her senior year, where she also received normal training that prepared her for teaching. After graduating from high school she went to Chadron Teachers College and taught in rural grade schools in the Alliance vicinity for several years.
Viola married Reuben Herrman on June 3, 1936, in Torrington, Wyoming. They lived on their ranch near Hilland, 30 miles northwest of Philip, until Reuben’s death in 1974. Viola taught in various rural schools in Haakon County for a few years in the 1960s, maintaining her credentials by attending summer school at Black Hills Teachers College. Viola was an active member of the Hilland Lutheran Church and Ladies Aid, the Hilland extension club, and other community activities. Viola was a caring and delightful hostess, always making others feel most welcome to her home. Viola moved to Philip in 1974. She learned to use a computer at age 83. Despite failing eyesight and hearing, Viola remained active until recently.
Viola was a great listener and mentored several girls in the community on the art of homemaking. She was well-liked and was an inspiration to many people.
Music was a big part of Viola’s life. She learned to play the piano by ear listening to songs on the radio, then learned how to read notes while watching her children practice. After moving to Philip she took organ lessons and played at First Lutheran Church. She enjoyed listening to her children play the piano and sing and she encouraged them to participate in musical activities in their respective communities.
Grateful for having shared her life are four children, Jerry of Hayward, California, Barbara Wentz and her husband Terry of Ambler, Alaska, John of Placerville, California, and Marilyn Millage and her husband Ron of Philip; grandchildren Lee Wentz and his wife Gigi, Laurie Wentz and her friend John Welling, Jim Blake and his fiancée Leah Smith, Robin Harris and her friend Gary Ludlow, Craig Millage and his wife Tamara, Michael Millage and his wife Julie, Amy Buffalo and her husband Bo, and Jody Millage; 22 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to her husband Reuben, Viola was preceded in death by her parents, one brother Raymond Edwards; three sisters Chloe Carlson, Leona Sandal, and Martha Jewel Ferguson; and one half-brother Amon Durley.
Visitation was held 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 14, at the Rush Funeral Home in Philip, and one hour preceding the services at the church on Thursday.
Funeral services were held 10:00 a.m. Thursday, June 15, at the First Lutheran Church in Philip, with Pastor Tim Solberg officiating.
Interment was in the Masonic Cemetery, Philip.
A memorial is established.
FUNERAL SERVICES
Thursday, June 15, 2006 10:00 a.m.
First Lutheran Church
Philip, South Dakota
CLERGY
Pastor Tim Solberg
MUSIC
Marlis Doud– Prelude/Postlude Pianist
Marilyn Millage – Pianist
Vocalists
Barb Bowen – Maureen Palacek
"Rejoice In His Love"
Haakon County Crooners
"The Lord’s Prayer"
Vocal Octet
Barbara Wentz – Marlis Doud
Maureen Palecek – Nancy Ekstrum
John Herrman - Barb Bowen
Joe Gittings – Pastor Tim Solberg
"What A Friend We Have In Jesus"
Vernon Burns
"The Place Where I Worship"
Congregational Hymn
"Beautiful Savior"
USHERS
Gary Phillips – Jack Griesel
PALLBEARERS
Jim Blake – Lee Wentz
Laurie Wentz – Jody Millage
Amy Buffalo – Kelsie Contreras
Seth Eisenbraun – Jason Eisenbraun
HONORARY PALLBEARERS
All Relatives and Friends in Attendance
INTERMENT
Masonic Cemetery
Philip, South Dakota
Guest Book
I am deeply saddened to read of the death of your mother. I met Viola a couple years ago when I visited the Philip SD area to spend some time with my college friend, Doris Daniel. Doris took me to meet your mother and we had a nice visit. She was a lovely lady. My sincere sympathies at your loss. May God bless you with loving memories. Sincerely Linda Green
~ Linda Green
London, OH (6/12/2006)
Our prayers and sympathy go out to the family of Viola. Sorry we couldn't get there for the services and to see everyone. I (Gerry) remember Viola and Rueben as a youngster in Hilland as a big part of that community. She must be about the last of that generation from the Hilland area. We will miss her!
~ Gerry and Margie Thorvaldson
3980 East 14th Street, Casper, WY 82609 (6/12/2006)
Marilyn and family, you have all been in our thoughts these past weeks, it would be so hard to lose both mom and mom-in-law in such a short time. Our prayers are with you.
~ Justin and Joyce Wheeler
24208 Fairview Road, Philip, SD (6/12/2006)
My sympathy goes out to you and know that you are in my prayers. I remember my Grandma Mary Alice Deuchar talking about the fun Viola and her had when they were younger. What a lady to start using a computer at an older age! I remember when she first started to use it and how intrigued I was.
~ Jenna Finn
Midland, SD (6/12/2006)
Aunt Viola always had such a good spirit. She was a special person to me and always fun to be with. She took a special interest in what ever you were doing. One of my fond remembrances was when Hal & I met her and Jerry in Geneva Switzerland at John's home. She was really a world traveler!!
We can't be with the family, but you are all in our prayers.
~ Jeanette & Hal Burton
61 N. Picnic Dr., Lillwaup, WA 98555 (6/12/2006)
What a great listener! I always enjoyed Viola coming to Crooner practice and she attended so many of the places we sang. What strong values she had and was an inspiration to many in her own quiet way.
~ Joe Gittings
Philip, SD (6/12/2006)
Our prayers and thoughts are with you Barb & Marilyn and the family. Viola was a very special woman. The first time I meet her when joining the Hilland community, she made me feel very welcome and always enjoyed our visits. Will always remember her and her lovely smile and always a hug. Gob Bless all of you. Ralph& Cathy
~ Ralph & Cathy Fiedler
2130 Ellen St. Lot 4, Sturgis, SD (6/12/2006)
Viola was such a sweet lady to care for when she was at the Silverleaf. We had many visits about the Hilland community and the people of that area. We could always count on Viola to be gentle and loving. We missed her so much when she had to move out. We especially missed her quiet ways. My deepest sympathy to all of you.
~ Sandee Gittings
21750 10 Mile Road, Philip, SD (6/12/2006)
My sympathy to Marilyn, Ron, and especially Amy. Viola was a great lady and I remember spending time with her while staying or visiting with Amy when we were kids on up through high school. My prayers are with you.
~ Sherry (Fiedler) Hanson
Spearfish, SD (6/12/2006)
Our deepest sympathy is extended to the family of Viola. She was a sweet, soft-spoken lady and full of wisdom. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
~ Dave & Karen Webb
Rapid City, SD (6/12/2006)
Sorry to hear about Viola's passing, My prayers are with all of you.
~ Briget Millage-Hatheway
Draper, SD (6/12/2006)
To Viola's Family,
I had the great pleasure of getting to know Viola while working at the Silver Leaf. She was a sweet lady that would always put a smile on my face and help the day of work go by! I have to laugh when I think of Viola and her eye drops... I would go in after dinner to give them to her and she would always be sitting in her rocking chair waiting for me to finally get in there to get them done so she could have a nap. So as I would go in there to give the eye drops, she would be rocking away in her chair, and of course the drop wouldn't go in because she was moving... so for the longest time I would just try to put the eye drop in on the move and miss her eye at least once, but then one day I took my foot and stopped her chair just long enough to get the eye drop in and she started to giggle. While laughing she told me that she did suppose the eye drops would be difficult to do while she was moving. So from that day on she would stop rocking long enough for me to put in her e
ye drops and then she would start to laugh again about the day I stopped her chair. I will always cherish the moments I got to spend with Viola, she was a very sweet lady and she always had a smile to share. I will miss her very much. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with the family during this hard time.
Love,
Felicia
~ Felicia Porch
3329 E. Anaconda Rd., Rapid City, SD (6/12/2006)