Viola Marion Schulz

Viola “Vi” Hendrickson (Neiminen) Schulz departed this life on Sunday, January 8, 2017. Vi was born in Ponsford, Minnesota on September 5, 1931 to parents Allen and Maija Hendrickson. She married the love of her life, Orvald Neiminen, on July 4, 1947 and together raised 6 children. Orvald passed in 1968. Viola worked to support the children and attended school at night, earning her GED. She then began attending Montana State University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree awarded in Bozeman, MT on June 9, 1978.

Viola had a fulfilling career. Her nursing actually began before she went on to MSU; she worked as a Nursing Aide at Warm Springs State Hospital. Once she attained her Nursing Degree, she was employed at Deer Lodge Hospital, Powell County Medical Center. She later moved to Billings, Montana and worked at St. Vincent Hospital until she retired in 1998.

Viola loved God and enjoyed her family and their related activities first and foremost. She met and married Rod Schulz in 1979. She was very involved in Bible Studies, Prayer Groups, and was the leader of many Grief Support classes in the community. Viola enjoyed her vegetable garden and shared with the neighbors. Her passion for long walks on the land owned outside of town refreshed her spirit. Vi loved to play cards, pinochle being her favorite. She found creativity in water painting and stained glass creations, which she made for her friends and family.

Survivors include her sisters, Vivian Cianni and Mabe Sommers; her children Shelly Ossinger, Larry Neiminen, and Shirley Swecker; and all of her grandchildren.

Services will be held at Dahl Funeral Chapel on Thursday, January 12th at 2:00 p.m. located at 300 Highland Blvd. Bozeman, MT. Burial will be at 1:00 p.m. at Sunset Memorial Gardens located at Gregson between Butte and Anaconda.

Memorial contributions can be made to Focus on the Family at 8605 Explorer Dr. Colorado Springs, CO 80920. Thank you to the loving and compassionate staff and volunteers at Bozeman Health Hospice as well as the staff at Spring Creek Inn.