Viola Lee

Viola Evelyn Swanson Lee, 107, passed away on February 8, 2024 at Northwood Deaconess Health Center in Northwood, ND.

A FUNERAL SERVICE will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, February 17, 2024 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 302 Booth Avenue, Larimore, ND.  Visitation will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Larimore.  Burial will be in Arvilla Cemetery, Arvilla, ND.

Viola was born April 29, 1916 at home on a farm near Arvilla, ND to Olaf Swanson and Annie (Hendrickson).  She attended elementary school at Hegton School District.   Growing up, she was an active member in her 4H group and eventually became a 4H leader.  She sang in the choir and belonged to Lutheran League at St. Paul’s Lutheran church in Honeyford, ND.  She graduated from high school in Arvilla, ND and attended college at NDSU, Fargo, for a short time.

At age 17, Viola became very ill with rheumatic fever for several months.  Her mother passed away when Viola was around 15 to 17 years old.  She was then left in charge of cooking and keeping house for her siblings and her father for several years until she got married.

She married Daniel Greene Lee on January 1, 1949 and moved to his family farm where they raised small grains along with sheep, a couple pigs, and a couple cows.  They had two children, Rebecca Diane (Pryde) and Richard Evan Lee.

Viola loved sewing and was an excellent seamstress.  Other interests included cooking, gardening, and raising African violets.  She enjoyed attending the Ladies’ Aid at Our Savior’s Lutheran church in Larimore and Homemakers’ Club.

Surviving family members include her son, Richard (Carol) Lee of Wahpeton, ND, son-in-law, James Pryde of Joplin, MO, grandchildren, Brian (Amanda) Lee of Mountain Home, ID, Brenda (Tom) Leon of Glyndon, MN, Brandon (Kaitlyn) lee of Jamestown, ND, Beth Ramos of Claremore, OK, Karen (Ryan) O’Connell of Joplin, MO, Daniel (Sandra) of San Bernardino, CA, sister, Mildred Wallace of Visalia, CA, and 13 great grand-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, siblings, Berniece Johnson, Robert Swanson, Clarence Swanson, Rudolph Swanson, and Dorothy Rothe; husband, Daniel G. Lee; daughter, Rebecca Pryde; great grandson, Gabriel Daniel Lee.