Viola A. Stemig, 98, of Jordan, passed away peacefully on July 9, 2024 at the Lutheran Home in Belle Plaine.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held for Viola on Friday, July 26, 2024 beginning at 11am at St. John the Baptist Church in Jordan. Prior to Mass, there will be a visitation from 9:30-11am. Viola will be laid to rest at Calvary Catholic Cemetery immediately following the mass. Father Neil Bakker will be presiding over the services.
Born on November 8, 1925 to parents Paul and Katie (Breeggemann) Klein, Viola started her life on the Klein’s family farm in Chanhassen. She was the middle of three children in the family’s home. She worked hard growing up and learned how important strong faith was, but there was always time for fun. With Lake Susan in her backyard, she enjoyed spending time with her brothers, cousins and close friends.
Viola attended St. Hubert’s School in Chanhassen and graduated from Chaska High School in 1943. Following high school, Viola worked at Page & Hill, in Shakopee to help support the war effort. One weekend, Viola and her work friend Clare Stemig went to a local dance hall to have some fun. Clare’s brother had recently completed service in the Army Air Corp and was joining them for the night. As soon as Viola saw him, she wanted to get to know him. His name was Florenz and little did she know, they would be starting their life together. The pair were married on October 21, 1947. They were blessed with 5 children. They lived on the Stemig family farm near St. Joe. Viola helped on the farm with the animals and her large garden. Her main priority was caring for the family. Her special talents were making bread, cookies and homemade pies. Viola and Florenz spent many hours visiting relatives on Sundays and playing cards, especially Sheepshead with the “Big Six”.
The family went on vacations in northern Minnesota. They enjoyed fishing and swimming at the resort. When the children were grown and gone, Florenz and Viola traveled all over the US, from walking on flowing glaciers in Alaska to the southern tip of Texas.
Viola lived her life with a strong religious faith. She felt praying the rosary was important. Viola was very active in the community through her volunteer work at St Joseph Church which was near the farm. The big event in the early years was a chicken dinner festival. Later she worked at banquet events in the kitchen of St. John’s Catholic Church in Jordan. She volunteered making quilts with her friends at St. John’s Church. For many years, Viola did volunteer work at the C.A.P. Agency of Scott County.
Viola will be missed by her children, Tom (Lorie), Steve (Linda), Joyce, Pete (Jane), and Dave (Cherie); 10 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; Sisters and Brother-in-Laws; Betty Klein, Kathy Stemig, Elwin Stemig and many other nieces, nephews, family and friends. Viola is greeted in heaven by her loving husband, Florenz; parents, Paul and Katie Klein; Granddaughter Jennifer, and brothers, Edward (Aggie) Klein and Lawrence Klein. In-Laws Patti Stemig, Ralph Stemig, Walter & Clare Kuechle, and Mal & Lucille Hogan.
The Stemig Family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the entire staff at the Belle Plaine Lutheran Home!
