Violet Arneson

Violet Arneson, 96, died of natural causes on Sept. 19, at the Aphrodite Assisted Living Home where she received six years of excellent and loving care.

Violet was born in Stady, N. D., on July 12, 1914, to Henry and Johanna Marie Halverson. In 1926, Violet’s family moved to the Daniels County area of northeastern Montana where members of her extended family still live.

She attended a one-room grade school. She loved learning and finally became a teacher.  Violet taught in that same one-room school.

Violet married her husband in 1934. Early on, they lived a nomadic life style. Lawrence worked heavy construction jobs during World War II: Fort Peck Dam, military air bases and other war effort projects. Violet wouldn’t live in a trailer, so Lawrence went on to the jobs and Violet followed behind with the kids, driving an old Ford, pulling a trailer loaded with all their worldly possessions. They later settled and lived in Havre, for 25 years. They retired to live at Columbia Falls near Glacier Park. Violet lived there for 28 years until she moved to Anchorage in 2004. Violet, with Lawrence, spent many periods of time living and working in Alaska.

Violet loved working outside the home but did not slack on the care of her family. No one ever went to her house without going away stuffed full of great food.

She is survived by one daughter, Larean Pierce and two sons and their wives, Arlen and Charlene Arneson and Merwin and Nanette Arneson. Plus many grand and great-grandchildren,   Violet was also preceded in death by three grandsons and one granddaughter.

A service was held Saturday, Sept. 25, at the Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel on Klatt Road, Anchorage.  Violet will be buried next to her husband, Lawrence, and her daughter, Lynette, in Glacier Memorial Cemetery in Kalispell, Montana. A graveside service will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 7 for family and friends in Montana.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Providence Hospice, 3435 E. Tudor Road, Anchorage, AK  99507-1282.

Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls is assisting the family.