Viola W. Hanlin

Viola Wilhemina, the daughter of Herman and Wilhemina (Borchard) Scherling was born on December 3, 1932 at Beatrice, Nebraska and passed away at Aurora, Nebraska on March 14, 2014 at the age of 81.

Viola worked various jobs throughout her life but her most memorable employment was waitressing in North Hollywood, California during the 1960’s and chatting with famous actors like Roy Rogers or Michael Landon.

On August 23, 1975, Viola was united in marriage to Jim Hanlin.  She spent most of her time as a full-time wife and mother.  She loved doing things for her family, from cooking and preparing the perfect Christmas dinner to remembering every special moment with cards and gifts.

In 2012, Viola left Fairbury to live at Garden Square in Crete, Nebraska.  She touched so many lives and some of the comments shared about her include, “Viola was a sweetheart and a joy to spend time with.  She was a funny, spunky, and one-of-a-kind lady who epitomized strength and character.  A true fighter.”

At the time of her death Viola was a member of the Grace Lutheran Church of Fairbury and she will be remembered for her unwavering faith in her Savior, Jesus Christ.

She is welcomed into Heaven by her parents, husbands, infant daughter Clydeen Ranay, infant twin siblings Leona and William, two sisters Elsie Johnsen and Eleanor Kinzie, brother Ervin Scherling, and brother-in-laws Wilbur Johnsen and George Kinzie.

Those left to cherish her memory are her daughter, Theresa Miller (Darin Tompkins) of Hordville, son, Rodney (Lisa) Miller of Fairbury, granddaughters Lisa (Neal) LeBlanc of Grand Island, and Sydney Miller of Fairbury, great-grandson Jaydn Jorgenson and great-granddaughter Diamond LeBlanc of Grand Island, niece Ruby (Jim) Fralin, nephews Roger (Glenda) Johnsen, Gary (Shelly) Johnsen, and Larry Kinzie all from Beatrice, brother-in-law John (Carol) Hanlin of O’Neill, sister-in-law Ruth (Art) Roemmich of York, along with friends from Aurora, Crete, and Fairbury.

The family wishes to thank all who were so kind to Viola including her longtime friend Jan Karenbauer of Fairbury, along with employees and residents of Fairbury Gardens, The Tabitha Health Care System, and Hamilton Manor.

Visitation will be on Tuesday, March 18, 2014 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home in Fairbury.  Funeral services will be Wednesday, March 19, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church in Fairbury, with Pastor Charles Schmidt officiating.  Burial will follow at the Fairbury Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers please take time to comfort a lonely elderly person or shut in and bring to them the greatest gift of all, caring.

Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home in Fairbury is in charge of the arrangements.