Just 7 months ago in this very place, we said good bye to Viola’s husband Al Nelson. So today as we celebrate Vi’s life. We also celebrate what would have been Al and Vi’s 63rd anniversary tomorrow August 14, 2016. In this year they would both be 89 years old. So this time we will revisit Vi’s life. Chapter 1: Vi’s life began being born as a mirror image twin along with her twin sister Velma on December 30, 1926 in Hoquiam Washington. Whenever they sat for pictures, Vi was always on the left because she was left handed. They were close and enjoyed being twins. They grew up in Hoquiam with their younger brothers Johnny, Donald and their parents, Arnold and Julia Lund. Twin sister Velma is still living and in assisted care with her family nearby. Some vignettes from others who loved Vi: - Vi and Velma were so small in 1926 that their mother at times kept them warm in the oven. - Grandpa used to call Velma “Wemmie” and Vi “Toodie which morphed in to Aunt “Toodoo” among the children. Late in life Vi said wistfully that no one called her that anymore. -The sisters dressed alike all of their young lives. When in high school, they used to switch on teachers and dates. They looked and dressed so much alike that they were able to fool folks for a long time until someone discovered that one was left handed. - Vi enjoyed the wine and cheese part of her day. When asked if she meant wine or whine she would laugh and say that “wine” was especially appreciated when she had to put up with a lot of “whine”. -Vi had a great giggle. It was more infectious and lighter than her regular laugh, and when it would burst out, one could not help but laugh right along with her. It is one of things I will miss most. - Her personal preferences evolved to include the color purple in jewelry and clothes. Chapter 2: While Vi liked purple violets and irises. She was also fond of gardenias. One Sunday Vi and Velma attended church wearing gardenias. Before arriving, Velma had dropped her gardenia in the dirt, but retrieved it and wore it anyway. Al Nelson also at church that day saw the girls from a distance and asked his sister-in-law Connie to introduce him to them. It is said that Al always having an appreciation for flowers liked the Lund twin with the fresh gardenia best. Al and Vi got to know each other. When Al went into the Army, Vi wrote to him every day. Al and Vi got together when Al finished his tour of duty. Before they could be married, Vi told Al that he would have to learn to dance. For 25 Thursdays after work they drove from Hoquiam to the Arthur Murray Dance Studio in Tacoma. After a time, they both loved ball room dancing and square dancing. Vi loved to dance. They soon married. Al’s brother Duane set up a getaway car for them, a 53 Buick. They took their first of many travel adventures together, their honeymoon. They went to Alberta, Canada and visited Banff, Lake Louise and the Nelson family farm in Killam Alberta. They decided to settle in Beaverton, Oregon near sister Verneitta and family. Eventually, Al and Vi traveled the world including Denmark, Berlin, Russia, China, Rio De Janeiro, Mexico, Alaska, and Hawaii many times. They had these adventures with dear friends and family. They had many trips throughout the states and Canada. Vi was not a camper. Her perspective was that no matter how nice the accommodations if one had to bring bedding, it was camping. Chapter 3: Vi was a natural homemaker loving to decorate, cook, sew and entertain in her home for many years. Son Robert and daughter Rebecca were born and were a joy to their parents. In addition to their own activities, the children spent many evenings in the schools, barns and auditoriums with other children while their parents square danced. Over time Vi created an entire handmade wardrobe of square dance outfits with matching shirts for Al. There was always a buffet at these events to which Vi created something special to add. Later they added ball room dancing with coordinated outfits. They danced on cruise ships all over the world. They had matching black and white dance shoes which Vi requested be buried with her. Chapter 4: Meanwhile Vi worked 25 years for Western Kraft later called Weyerhaeuser. They made brown paper grocery bags. She was the Payroll Manager and was called back several times after she retired to help them out. It is remembered that Vi would use some of the unfolded grocery bags in her kitchen on which she would place hot cookies from the oven to cool because the bags were as sterile as waxed paper and free. Vi had a fierce allegiance to the Portland Trail Blazers not to mention the Mariners, and playing golf. Watching her games was an important part of her life even after recently moving to her beautifully appointed apartment with many of her personal things at Hearthstone retirement community. She was ready for the Olympics. She was also looking forward to grandson Max and Amanda’s wedding to come in September. She loved her grandchildren Max and Ashley very much. She loved her children. She was very proud of Robert, a general construction contractor for 40 years. Kimberly, Robert’s wife a dental assistant and Rebecca for her career with Warner Brothers Studios. She just wanted to be with Al and will be on their 63rd Anniversary tomorrow.
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