Viola Hartke

OBITUARY Viola Hazel Hartke was born on February 15, 1925 in Ashby, MN the daughter of Harold and Hannah (Thompson) Nordskog. She was baptized and confirmed in Grue Lutheran Church near Ashby, MN. Viola lived in the Alexandria area and attended Central High School until her senior year when her family moved to St. James, MN. She graduated St. James High School in 1943. After high school she worked as a waitress in a caf� in St. James, MN. There she met her future husband Darwin Hartke. They were married on February 19, 1944 in Kansas City. To this union 4 sons were born, Dave, Allan, Gary, and Eugene. Together they lived in Minneapolis and she worked at Honeywell. In 1974 Viola and Darwin moved Seattle, WA where she worked at John Fluke Manufacturing. Viola retired in 1978 and they moved back to Brandon, MN. Viola was very involved at Chippewa Lutheran Church. She was a member of the Ladies Aide and volunteered her time with many church activities. She was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary in Alexandria. Viola liked to play cards and socialize with family and friends. She was kind, caring and loving mother and grandmother who will be missed by those who knew and loved her. Viola H. Hartke died on Saturday, October 1, 2011 at the Douglas County Hospital in Alexandria. She is survived by her sons Dave (Rose) Hartke of Lacey, WA, Gary Hartke of Minneapolis, and Eugene Hartke of Brandon; 18 grandchildren; 23 great grandchildren; brother Maynard (Gerry) Nordskog of Burnsville, MN. Viola was preceded in death by her parents, husband Darwin Hartke, son Allan Hartke, grandson Mark Berman, and two brothers Don Nordskog and Gordon Nordskog. A funeral service was held on Saturday, October 8, 2011 at Chippewa Lutheran Church in Brandon, MN with the Reverend Michael Johnson officiating. Diane Guenther played the organ and Gary Hartke sang Amazing Grace. Interment was in the Chippewa Lutheran Cemetery near Brandon, MN. Casket Bearers were Jacob Hartke, Paul Hartke, Gary Hartke Jr , Steven Hartke, Cherise Hartke, James Hartke. Honorary casket bearers were Herb Johnson and Darrell Weigold. Arrangements are with the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria. www.andersonfuneral.net