Viola Henderson

Viola "Vi" Henderson was born on July 6, 1920 in Shelley, Norman County, Minnesota to the late Hans and Ida (Redland) Gilbertson. She was the oldest of five children and grew up on a farm with 2 brothers: Howard and Milton and 2 sisters: Jean and Gloria. After graduating from high school, she attended nursing school in Minneapolis and went to work as a registered nurse in Denver for a year and then in Rush City, Minnesota. In 1945, Vi came to McNary, Arizona while on a trip to California with some of her co-workers. Her supervisor wanted to visit with a doctor she knew in the McNary Hospital; while visiting McNary, the whole group of nurses was offered jobs at the hospital by Drs. Dysterhft and Herdst - Viola was the only one who accepted. Shortly after that visit, in January 1945, she relocated to McNary to take a job at the McNary Hospital. Not long after moving to the area, she met Russell Henderson, and after a short courtship, they married on April 13, 1946 at a local preacher's house. In January 1947, their first child was born (Terry), and over the next 8 years, they had four more children: Ron, Craig, Pete and Karen. They moved to various states throughout those years, but ended up back in the White Mountains. Karen tells the story that, on being introduced as the baby, many people would comment, "I bet you tried and tried until you got a girl!", and Viola would answer, "Actually, I tried to quit after Craig." She was a busy working mother, but found time to bake bread nearly every Saturday. The children became accustomed to being awakened in the morning to the sound of Mom banging on the piano and summer job lists when she had to work. She attended Bible Chapel for over 40 years, cementing lifelong friendships with members of the congregation as well as its pastor, Pastor Reed Heckathorne, his wife, Martha Jo, and their children, including Steve, who succeeded his father as Pastor of Bible Chapel (now known as Living Faith Covenant Church). Vi was a devout Christian who studied her Bible daily, keeping journals of those studies, her prayers, and the ways she felt the Lord was working in her life. She attended Bible Chapel regularly until the last years of her life, when her energy waned. Nevertheless, while her body weakened, her spirit and faith remained strong. She was so appreciative of her Bible Chapel friends' care and support, which was abundant in her later years. In 1962, Viola went to work at McNary School as the school nurse. She also drove a school bus, which brought endless pride and hours of entertainment to her grandchildren. Vi was loved and respected by so many of her students. In her later years, they would greet her by name when she ran into them around town, and she almost always remembered their names as well as the names of their parents. Ever the nurse and always the caretaker, she cared for many ill relatives throughout the years, including: her mother, Ida; her father, Hans; her sister, Jean; her mother-in-law, Ella, her husband, Russell and her son, Pete. She also cared for countless grandchildren, great-grandchildren, as well as the friends of her children and grandchildren who loved her as though she were part of their own families. Viola even cared for a variety of orphaned and nearly-wild animals which included cats and dog and once, even a crow! She showed patience, love, kindness and grace to every living thing whose life she touched. Never once did she turn away a person in need; no matter if by helping them, she put herself in a more difficult position. She was a true example of both a nurse and a Christian. She practiced her faith every single day and was truly an example of goodness to everyone who knew her. Viola was known by many as the little lady who always wore a hat, and over the years, she acquired quiet a collection of them. Until a few short years ago, she could be seen walking every morning with her hat and a walking stick (and sometimes a very large dog!). Being active was an important part of her life, and most days, she walked a good distance even though her mobility declined over the past few years. One of her greatest joys during her long walks was bird watching. Friends and family considered her nearly an expert on the birds that can be found locally as well as in the more exotic locations. She could identify so many birds by the sound of their song, the curve of their beak or by the color of their wing. Viola also had so many diverse interests and talents, but she was always very modest about the things she was good at. She and a friend took a watercolor class in the mind 1990s when she was more than 70 years old. She produced many wonderful and beautiful paintings. When praised by friends or family, her sincere and humble reply was always, "Oh, well, they're not really so good." She had a great appreciation for art and literature; any book you ever wanted to discuss, she had read. She enjoyed watching sports on television, including: golf, tennis, baseball and football. The breads that she made were incredible! She played the piano, although if asked, she would always point out that that her sister, Gloria, was the one with the real talent. She worked the crossword puzzles in the daily paper (quite successfully) every day until the last month of her life. Her intelligence, strength, grace and humility were unsurpassed. Viola always enjoyed lunch (or dinner or breakfast) dates, especially with the Merry Widows - a group of ladies who would meet on birthdays to share lunch and friendship. She would talk about those special days for weeks and would also write about them in her journals. Vi delighted in simple things; being taken to the "Golden Arches" for a hamburger and cup of coffee, chocolate and (who can forget) jellybeans. She was the most patient, loving grandmother and great-grandmother that a child could ever ask for. She had 10 children and 21 great-grandchildren. Her home was always a safe, inviting and creative place for them. So many children passed through her bed; she put up with nightly pleas for many years, from many a grandkid, for "just one more" cracker, glass of milk or water, or one last round of bedtime stories before she was allowed her to fall asleep. The crowning jewel of bedtime was a song that, if not entirely made up, had surely been altered by her to fit the whims of numerous grandchildren. It was called "Little Blackbird" and was song in which everyone with whom the singer had ever had in their lives been acquainted was named as a dedicatee. Viola passed away on July 25, 2011 in Lakeside, Navajo County, Arizona at the age of 91. She left us with serenity and dignity, quietly and peacefully in her sleep; the way she asked to go. She is survived by her children: Terry (Paula) Henderson of Las Vegas, Nevada, Ron (Nancy) Henderson of Pinetop, Arizona, Craig Henderson of Washington, Karen (Ken) Lakey of Lake Stevens, Washington; brother, Howard Gilbertson of Shelley, Minnesota; sister, Gloria Hunt of Pinetop, Arizona; 10 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. Along with her parents and husband, Russell, Viola was preceded in death by: a sister, Jean; a brother, Milton and by a son, Pete. All of her family and friends whom survive her are left with a great void, but also are left with so many beautiful and enduring memories. She was a tiny little lady with a huge heart and enormous spirit. She left a lasting influence on every single life she touched. A special memorial service celebrating her life will begin 11:00 A.M., Friday, September 23, 2011 at Owens Livingston Mortuary - White Mountain Chapel, 320 N. 9th Street in Show Low, Arizona.