Mary Viola Anstett was born December 4, 1916, in Sinnett, Saskatchewan, Canada, to Frederick and Agnes (Devine) Anstett. The family immigrated to the United States in 1928, and they settled on a farm near Pelican Lake, MN.
The family moved to the Moorhead, MN, area and she graduated from Moorhead High School in 1935. Viola was united in marriage to Andrew H. Nyquist on October 16, 1941, in Moorhead. They made their home in Moorhead until moving to rural Sabin, MN, where they farmed. They moved to rural Glyndon, MN, in 1966 and returned to Moorhead in April of 1998.
Andrew died on November 19, 1998, and Viola continued to make her home in Moorhead. She did reside at Riverview Place, Fargo, ND, for several years.
Viola volunteered for a number of organizations, including Meals on Wheels. She was a member of St. Ansgar Auxiliary and a charter member of St. Cecilia's Catholic Church in Sabin. She was also an avid bowler.
Viola died Wednesday, November 2, 2011, at Rosewood on Broadway, Fargo, at ninety-four years of age.
Viola is lovingly survived by her three sons, Gordon (RoseMary) Nyquist, Fargo, Gary (Linda) Nyquist, Crossville, TN, and Jeff Nyquist, Moorhead; two daughters, Andrea (Jesse) Menton, Minnetonka, MN, and Sister Patricia Nyquist, Clyde, MO; fourteen grandchildren; sixteen great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; four brothers, Roy Anstett, Tacoma, WA, Emmett Anstett, Spring Green, WI, Gerald (Irene) Anstett, Stevens Point, WI, and Jack (Sue) Anstett, Milwaukee, WI; and a sister, Arlene (Les) Pedersen, Kalamazoo, MI.
In addition to her husband, Andrew, Viola was preceded in death by her parents and three brothers, Chet, Fred, and Ralph Anstett.
Visitation for Viola will be Friday, November 4, 2011, from 5 - 7 PM, with a prayer service at 7 PM, in Korsmo Funeral Chapel, Moorhead.
Funeral Mass will be Saturday, November 5, 2011, at 10:30 AM, in St. Cecilia's Catholic Church, Sabin.
Burial will be in St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery, Moorhead.
Memorials are encouraged to Riverview Place or St. Cecilia's Catholic Church.
Click to view the Video Tribute for Viola