Violet S. Winger

Violet S. Winger, age 89 of Decorah, Iowa, died Sunday, September 3, 2006 at Oneota Riverview Care Facility in Decorah of complications from a stroke. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, September 6, 2006 at First Lutheran Church in Decorah, by the Rev. Marion Pruitt Miller. Burial will be in Lutheran Cemetery in Decorah. Friends may call from 4:00-7:00 P.M. Tuesday, September 5, 2006 at Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah and an hour prior to the services on Wednesday at the church. Violet Selma (Erickson) Winger was born on August 22, 1917 at home in Canoe Township, Winneshiek County, Iowa, the daughter of Olias and Clara (Iverson) Erickson. She was baptized on October 21, 1917, and confirmed June 19, 1932 at First Lutheran Church in Decorah. Violet attended Springwater Country School and graduated from Decorah High School with the Class of 1936. She then attended Normal Training classes in Decorah at the East Side School Building. Violet was united in marriage to Ernest M. Winger on January 10, 1937 at First Lutheran Church in Decorah. To this union one daughter was born: Donna. Violet began her teaching career in the rural schools, North Winneshiek Schools and retired from teaching second grade in Decorah Community Schools in 1980. Her teaching career spanned 30 years. She was very proud to have received her Bachelor of Science degree from Luther College in 1974 while she continued to teach. Violet was a lifelong member of First Lutheran Church in Decorah. She enjoyed her retirement years, spending time with her family, especially her four great-grandchildren. She was an avid gardener and always loved her rural life, watching the changes in the seasons. Violet enjoyed having guests stop by and was always ready with coffee and cookies. Violet was proceded in death by her parents; her husband, Ernest on January 27, 1995; four brothers: Earl, Lester, Maurice and Robert Erickson; a sister, Olive Frye; and several nieces and nephews. She is survived by her daughter, Donna (Gerald “Gerry”) Young of Decorah; 2 grandchildren, Amy (Greg) Lage of Postville, IA and Jon (Shawn) Young of Decorah, IA; 4 great-grandchildren, Amanda and Hannah Lage, Tucker and Brody Young; two sisters, Evelyn Hahn and Alice Tollefson of Decorah; a sister-in-law, Dorothy Winger of Decorah; and several nieces and nephews. The family would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their wonderful support during Violet’s illness through cards, phone calls and visits. She would have been so proud and honored. Memorials can be given to John Cline Elementary School Library, 101 Claiborne Drive, Decorah, IA 52101 or Oneota Riverview Care Facility, 2479 River Road, Decorah, Iowa 52101.