Viola M. Palmersheim
May 18, 1918 ~ August 16, 2008
Viola M. Palmersheim, age 90, of New Hampton, died on Saturday, August 16, 2008 at Mercy Medical Center in New Hampton.
Viola Marie (Breitbach) Palmersheim was born on May 18, 1918 to Edward and Mabel (French) Breitbach in Independence, Iowa. As a young girl Viola moved with her family to a farm in Jacksonville Township. Later the family moved to a farm north of New Hampton. She graduated from New Hampton High School in 1934 at the age of 16. After graduation, she worked at various businesses in New Hampton, including Donnelly's Cafe and Kammeyers Grocery. Viola was united in marriage to Joseph Palmersheim on February 1, 1939 at St. Patricks Catholic Church in Jerico. Viola helped Joseph on the farm and later was employed by Chickasaw County Extension Service for 25 years. Viola enjoyed gardening, and in 1964, she was named Master Farm Homemaker of the Year by Wallaces' Farmer magazine. She also enjoyed being a 4-H leader and traveling. In 2003, Viola was inducted into the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame at the Iowa State Fair.
Viola was a member of Catholic Daughters of the Americas, Happy Homemakers Club charter member, St. Josephs Center-Holy Family Parish, Rosary Society, Mercy Medical Center Hospital Auxiliary, and she was a board member of the New Hampton Nursing and Rehab Center.
Viola is survived by her children Jack (Sandra) Palmersheim of Ft. Wayne, IN; Jim (Maria) Palmersheim of Omaha, NE; Barbara Clemente of Toms River, NJ; and Bill (Kathy) Palmersheim of New Hampton; grandchildren Lisa (Phil) Teusch, Tammy (Eric) Lonsbury, Matt (Tasha) Palmersheim, Sonya (Monte) LeFleur, Rachelle (Kelly) Collins, Robin Palmersheim, Reed Palmersheim, Mary Ellen (Peter) Curtis, Shanna Palmersheim, Sara Boettcher and Jeff Palmersheim; great grandchildren Andrew, Alex, Joe, Sam, Jake, Claire, Nathan, Meredith, Evelyn, Charlie, Matthew and Sophie; brothers Donald Breitbach of New Hampton and Richard (Eileen) Breitbach of New Hampton; sister Ruth (Eugene) Schultz of New Hampton and numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband Joseph (1997), sister Catherine and brother Edward.
Memorials:
Cemetery:
Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery at New Hampton with Jack, Jim, Bill, Matt, Reed and Jeff Palmersheim serving as casket bearers.
Visitation:
Visitation will be from 4:00pm to 8:00pm with a rosary at 5:00pm and a scriptural wake service at 6:30pm at Conway-Kolbet Funeral Home in New Hampton and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church.
Service:
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30am on Wednesday, August 20, 2008 at Holy Family Parish - St. Joseph's Center in New Hampton.
Our condolencense to the family, they were great people to know. And the finest examples of living the faith we’ve ever witnesses.
Bill and Kathy and family, Vi was such a wonderful woman, she told me that she has really enjoyed Jeremy, she spoiled him rotten. You have our deepest sympathy, it is hard to lose someone special in your life. Take care and God bless your family. Tom and Laurie, Josh, Jeremy and Jackie Waterman
Bill, Kathy, Shanna, Sara (and Sophie) and Jeff – Find comfort in the memories and love you shared while Vi was here and in the knowledge that she is now in a glorious place.
Jen, Yiloiz, Tori and Jacynda
Bill, Kathy, Shanna, Sara (and Sophie) and Jeff. Words cannot express the sorrow of losing someone you love. My heart goes out to all of you during this time. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Bill, Kathy, Shanna, Sara & Jeff,
You have my heartfelt condolences. Vi touched so many hearts and lives in the 90 years that she was on this earth. She will now continue her journey in paradise. Just remember the great memories that you each created with this wonderful woman! Love and prayers, Patrice
Dear Barbara,
Please accept our sincere condolences on the passing of yourr mother. Our prayers are with you and your family during this most difficult time.
Prayerfully,
Jackie & Ed
My sympathy to Viola’s family. I have many fond memories of my 4-H days, and many of them include Viola. She was a tremendous role model, leader, and mentor to young people in the 4-H Ambassadors. We fondly requoted the acronym of RSVP as “Respond and Send to Viola Palmershiem” for any mailings that had to be returned to the Extension Office. She was indeed a giving, caring lady and touched so many lives. May she find peace in her reunion with Joe, her life-long soul mate.
Bill, Kathy and Family~ Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Keep the good memories and hold them close. Vi will be missed as she touched so many lives. May God continue to bless you during this difficult time. Ryan and Jenilee
Bill, Kathy, Shanna, Sara and Sophie, Jeff and Ashley, Jack and Barbara,
You are in my thoughts and prayers. We ask that the love of God will bring us through these hard times. Vi was a wonderful lady. I was told that “When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure.” Treasure the memory. Love, Diane and family
Dear Barbara and family,
My very deepest sympathy goes out to you and your family on the loss of your mother. She will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Diane Schmidt
Our hearts hurt with you….no matter how many years you have been able to enjoy them, it still is a shock.
Your mom must have enjoyed you all so much and been proud of all your accomplishments.
We will be praying that all goes well.
Here is a HUGE HUG…..Les and Barb
Bill and Kathy and family,
Just a note to share my thoughts about Vi. She was a great one with whom to share committee and volunteer work as she was so dependable. We served as co-leaders of our circle. I was still working part-time, so Vi had to cover for me often. She always said that she had worked for so many years and wasn’t available to help, so when she retired she was happy for the opportunity to volunteer more often. And then seeing Vi and Joe together around the community always lifted my spirits. They seemed like such a happy couple. I still miss seeing them. Also, we enjoyed several nice conversations of late with Vi at Kensington. She was so proud of how you decorated her room, Kathy. I only wish there were more chances to visit. She was a positive force there as she was everywhere. She will be greatly missed by many.
Fondly, Glennda Murphy
Dear Barbara, Mary and family, our deepest sympathy on the loss of Viola. Her presence in everyone’s lives was truly a gift.We feel privledged for the opportunity to have met her and appreciate what a wonderful person she is.
My thoughts and prayers go out to all of you. JOe and Vi left a great legacy. I smile when I think back to the times that I wold visit with Vi and Joe and how Vi kept track of a certain daughter and her time and schedules.
The last time I stopped to visit with Vi she was, as usual, so concerned how everything was going.
Paul Fitzgerald