Violet Mae Doolin

1925 - 2025

Violet Mae Doolin

September 16, 1925 - April 1, 2025

State College, Pennsylvania - Violet Mae Doolin was born in Sand Springs, Oklahoma on September 16, 1925 to Ralph and Cora Doolin, of Irish and Cherokee heritage. She attended Central High School in Oklahoma City, the first high school established in the state.

During World War II Violet joined the Cadet Nurse Corps to pursue her dream of becoming a registered nurse. She attended the University of Oklahoma in Norman and Washington University-Barnes Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri from which she graduated in 1949 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Washington University was a pioneer in the concept of preventive medicine and health.

As an RN, Violet was involved in administering the new antibiotic penicillin, in providing home care, and in setting up field trials for the first polio vaccinations. Her career in public health nursing included promoting the use of seat belts and child safety seats and as an observer of DUI trials to monitor adherence to current laws. She was also an early and strong advocate for non-smoking efforts and programs. As a member of the local 15th District of the Illinois Nurses Association, she worked toward the education and acceptance of nurse midwives and nurse practitioners into the health care system.

Paul Schroeder, a senior at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, and Violet were married June 11, 1950. Upon his graduation they moved to his first call location in Ft. Worth, Texas. At Texas Christian University and later at the University of Texas he studied history and received his doctorate. In 1959 the family moved to Concordia Senior College, Ft. Wayne, Indiana where Paul taught history and Violet worked as a part-time nurse in the infirmary. When the family relocated to Champaign-Urbana, Illinois in 1953, Violet continued her nursing career at Mercy Hospital in the areas of Employee Health, Infection Control and Hospice.

Violet was baptized in 1947 and was an active and long-time member of St. Andrew Lutheran Church and Campus Center at the University of Illinois. She was also enriched by her association with the First Mennonite Bible Class as a permanent visitor. In State College she attended Grace Lutheran Church and Resurrection Orthodox Presbyterian Church.

Violet loved to travel. Through Paul's career as a historian, she and the family enjoyed several opportunities to live abroad. Upon her retirement, she visited such places as New Zealand, Nepal, China, Mexico and Africa, often with the Adventure Women Group, with whom she also did hiking, canoeing, and cross-country skiing.

Violet was preceded in death by her husband, parents and sister. She is survived by two daughters, eight grandchildren and twenty-four great grandchildren.

Online condolences for Violet may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com