Viola Meade

Viola Meade, 90, Dilworth, MN, passed away on Thursday, March 6, 2014, in Sanford Health, Fargo, ND.

Viola Elizabeth Mehlhoff was born on June 9, 1923, the eighth of 18 children born to Philip and Minnie (Leno) Mehlhoff, in Tuttle, ND. Viola grew up in the Tuttle and New Rockford, ND, area, and married George Meade.

She was a very strong woman her whole life. From watching her younger siblings, to caring for her daughter, Patricia, when she got diabetes, Viola was untiring in her care for her family. She kept an open door policy in her home, willing to take strangers in at the drop of a hat if they were in need. She always joked and she cleaned for many people. She was very intelligent when it came to math, measurements and angles. These skills enabled her to be a master seamstress, often making wardrobes of clothing for her granddaughters. She was widowed in 1987 and lived independently until 2013.

Viola is survived by her granddaughters, Shawn Nowak, Topeka, KS, and Dawn (Dan) McCarty, Windsor, ND; great-granddaughters, Cora (fiancé, David Brown) Graham, and Hailey (Jay Brackin) McCarty; great-great-grandchildren, James Young and Macey Graham; and one sister, Rosella Klindworth, Fessenden, ND.

She was preceded in death by her husband, George; daughter, Patricia Mae Nowak, who passed away in 1998; and 16 siblings.

Viola was greatly loved and was a nurturer, mentor, educator, and friend to many.

Memorial Service: Tuesday, March 11, 2014, at 2:00 PM, in Serenity Assisted Living, Dilworth, MN.
Burial: Prairie Home Cemetery, New Rockford, ND.

See Viola's Memorial Video under the 'Photos and Videos' tab.