Violet Viola Eslinger

Violet V. Eslinger (nee Ketterling) was born to Emil and Emma Ketterling on February 23, 1930 in Burnstad, ND. She graduated from Lehr High School and married the love of her life, Paul Eslinger, on June 10, 1948. They lived on the family farm in Fredonia with Paul's parents and they had two sons, Donavon and Darold, while there. They moved to Lincoln, NE for a short while and a daughter, Debra, was born. They moved back to the farm and another son, Dale, was born. Violet (Vi) was a great mother and farm hand but when the family moved to Bismarck, ND, she started working for J C Penney in 1960. She retired in 1987 from the Burnsville, MN store. The family moved to Apple Valley in 1968 and attended Rosemount United Methodist Church, now The Well, for many years. Vi was involved with the quilting group, Sunday School, Cursillo, Gideons, United Methodist Women, as well as many other church related functions. When she retired in 1987, she and Paul became volunteers at the
Fairview Ridges Hospital and she loved that 'job' for 20 years. Paul and Vi also were world travelers after retirement and she baked the best cookies and kuchen.

She is preceded in death by her husband Paul, her parents Emil and Emma Ketterling, her brothers Clarence and Andy, and her sister Esther. She is survived by her children Donavon (Helen), Darold (Barb), Debra, Dale (Roberta), grandchildren Chad (Melanie), Laura (Todd),
DarLin (John),Johanna (Jason), and Andrew (Megan), nine great-children, her brother Larry Ketterling (Nikki), and several nieces and nephews.

Vi enjoyed her last years at Ecumen Centennial House in Apple Valley and brought joy and laughter to all who met her. The family thanks the many caregivers of Centennial House and Hospice for the loving care they graciously provided each and every day. In lieu of flowers,
you can make donations to Ecumen Centennial House, Ecumen Hospice, or The Well United Methodist Church where Vi was a member for over 50 years.