Violet A. Berg Graham, 97
Violet A. Berg Graham, 97, of Hudson, and formerly of Roberts, died on Mother’s Day, May 10, at her residence surrounded by her loving family. She was born the daughter of Charles L. and Esther (Orfeldt) Berg on Dec. 12, 1911, in Minneapolis, Minn.
Violet A. Berg Graham, 97, of Hudson, and formerly of Roberts, died on Mother’s Day, May 10, at her residence surrounded by her loving family.
She was born the daughter of Charles L. and Esther (Orfeldt) Berg on Dec. 12, 1911, in Minneapolis, Minn.
In January of 1930, Vi graduated from Edison High School in Minneapolis. While attending the University of Minnesota, she was inducted into membership of Phi Upsilon Omicron and Omicron Nu home economics honor societies, and Mortar Board, the senior women’s leadership honorary. She graduated in 1934 with a Bachelor of Science degree in home economics.
A one-year internship in dietetics followed at Mt. Siani Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio, after which Vi became a licensed dietician. Her degree and her knowledge of health and nutrition would become a foundation for raising her family and serving her community.
On Sept. 18, 1937, Violet was united in marriage to Gardiner A. Graham at her parents’ home in Minneapolis. In 1945, they moved to his family farm in Roberts.
As the third generation operators, the Graham family farm was recognized as a “Wisconsin Century Farm” in the 1980s. Vi and Gardiner were blessed with two children, Susanne and David.
There are few words to describe her exceptional abilities as a wife and mother. She was a wonderful cook, preparing and canning the bounty of produce that would come from Gardiner’s vegetable gardens. Many meals were shared in her farm kitchen, and no trip to the farm was complete without a stroll through her flower gardens – which she was able to admire from the kitchen window.
Vi and Gardiner enjoyed traveling. They made excursions as far away as China and Scandinavia, but also enjoyed their many trips throughout the U.S. with family members. Vi was known to do a daily crossword puzzle, and she loved to read.
Throughout her life, Violet was a quiet but effective community volunteer and leader. During a time when she and other women were not looked upon as influential, Vi became one of the early leaders for establishment of the Hazel Mackin Library Board, and would be their treasurer for nearly 20 years.
When she moved to Roberts in 1945, Vi immediately became part of the Warren Home and Community Educators Club. Their members took classes provided by UW-Extension and they used their knowledge and talents to better the lives of their families and their community.
She was also a very active member of Roberts Congregational UCC Church - teaching Sunday school and with the Women’s Fellowship - and as a volunteer for the Roberts 4-H Club.
In the 1970s she offered her services and support to a Hmong family assimilating to their new life in the United States. Violet always looked for ways to be of service, to make other’s lives better, to better the world.
She was preceded in death by her parents; teenage sister, Mildred; and son-in-law, John M. Fisher.
Vi is survived by her husband of 71 years, Gardiner; daughter, Susanne G. Fisher of Hudson; son, David C. (Mary) Graham of New Jersey; three grandchildren, David B. (Wendy) Fisher, Kathryn M. (Matthew) Ovington and Sarah R. Graham (Kyle Bloomstein); five great-grandchildren, Graham and Tess Ovington, Aidan and Ari Graham, Riley Violet Fisher; and two step-great-grandchildren, Haley and Hunter McCorvey; and many wonderful, nieces, nephews and cousins.
A Celebration of Violet’s Life will be at 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 14, at Roberts Congregational United Church of Christ with Pastors Mary Schmotzer and Stephanie Anthony officiating.
Burial will be at the Warren Cemetery in Roberts.
Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church and Wednesday from 4 until 7 p.m. at the O'Connell Family Funeral Home in Hudson, (715) 386-3725, www.oconnellfuneralhomes.com.
In Vi’s honor, memorials may be directed to the Roberts Congregational UCC Church – Building Fund, PO Box 116, Roberts WI 54023 or the Hazel Mackin Library – Building Fund, PO Box 88, Roberts WI 54023.
Tags: violet berg graham, hudson hospital foundation, obituaries
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