Viola Harken

Viola Jane (Williams) Harken, age 95, of Ackley, Iowa, celebrated New Year's Eve fireworks in Heaven. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. on Monday, March 23, 2026, at the First Presbyterian Church in Ackley with burial in the West Friesland Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to the First Presbyterian Church or the Village of Ackley Foundation. Funeral arrangements are under the guidance of the Sietsema Funeral Home in Ackley.
Viola was born July 8th, 1930, the third daughter of Roy and Myrtle (Jones) Williams, at her home in Middlesex, New York. Vi was valedictorian of Middlesex Valley Central School, Class of 1948 and continued her education at the University of Rochester (NY) with a B.S. in General Science in 1952 and completing her M.S. in Counseling in 1958. In the summer of 1957, while taking graduate level work at Colorado State University, she went on a blind date with a fellow from Austinville, IA wearing blue suede shoes. Robert A. Harken and Vi were married in her hometown the following summer on June 14th, 1958. Their honeymoon was back to Colorado where Bob was completing his Masters in School Administration.
Early in life she held positions as a chemical analyst, a statistician, a high school science and phys ed teacher. In Ackley she was a substitute teacher and a realtor. She made a hobby of flipping houses and moving (8 houses and 3 apartments). She also had business acumen and on more than one occasion was accused of being a day trader well into her 80's.
Vi was a faithful 66-year member of 1st Presbyterian Church where she held positions as a deacon, trustee and session member. She had been in UPW, a Sunday school teacher and a 60+ year choir member. In 2002 she started taking care of flowers and grounds at her church and could still be seen in the beds this past summer. She participated in the Country Club Auxiliary, Legion Auxiliary, Ackley Ambulance, golf league and bowling (proud member of the 200 club).
She LOVED to play Bridge, Sticks and 500 and valued the meaningful friendships that developed through these activities. Another favorite pastime was genealogy. She traced her ancestors to the American Revolution (DAR Member) and the Mayflower, and kept the family records up to date. She also enjoyed completing puzzles and watching football. During her lifetime she traveled to all 50 states.
Her greatest joy was her family. She cherished her grandchildren and great grandchildren, meeting them on the floor, in their games, and in their laughter, always showing her love with warmth and playful affection. In every game she was always a fun and stout competitor.
Vi is survived by daughters, Patricia (Bruce) Cunyus, and Jeanne (Kevin) Giles, four grandchildren, Micki (Jeff) Whitacre, Callie Jo (Thomas) Lasater, Josh Giles, and KJ (Liz) Giles, 4 great grandchildren, Sadie, Cason, Lily, and Robby, and many nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her beloved feline companion, Bo. She was preceded in death by her husband Bob, grandson Jacob Giles, her parents, her sisters Hilda (Charles) Ingram, Norma (Bob) Porrey and all of Bob's siblings and their spouses.