Viola Mina Vanson (nee Betcher)
January 29, 1933 – August 17, 2019
Vi passed peacefully with Family at her side in the Lacombe Hospital on Saturday, August 17th, 2019, at the age of 86.
Vi was born in Calgary, the youngest of 4 children. When she was 4 years old, the family moved to a farm near Sundre and Vi’s education came from a one room schoolhouse in the country. After she completed school, she worked at the Sundre General Store where she met her husband of sixty years, Neil.
The couple were married in 1953 and Neil’s work in the oilfield took the pair to Southern Saskatchewan, then off to Brazil, Peru, Texas and Libya. In 1964 the family moved to Sylvan Lake and eventually settled in Red Deer, where Vi became very involved with the Red Deer figure skating club and the United Way. Fancy needle work, baking, camping and fishing were some of Vi’s favorite past times, but spending time with her grandsons has been her favorite past time for the past 24 years.
Vi was predeceased by her husband Neil in 2013, her daughter Neola in 1984 and son Terry in 1961, as well as her brothers Wilf (2004) and Neil (2013). Vi is survived by her son Mike (Denise), her loving grandsons Christopher and Mitchell, and sister Cornelia.
In respect of Vi’s wishes, there will not be a funeral and in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Parkinson’s Association of Alberta (#120, 6835 Railway St. SE, Calgary, AB, T2H 2V6) or to the Lacombe Palliative Care Society (P.O. Box 5576, Lacombe, AB, T4L 1X2). The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to the staff at the Lacombe Hospital who cared for Vi (and her family) over the past 2 months with special thanks to Becky, Caitlin, Adele, Darlene, Gordon and Nancy.
We would also like to recognize Dr. Olivier for her unwavering support and her exceptional care for Vi.
As I turn the last page of the last chapter of my life,
I want to say Thank You to all of you who shared a smile, a laugh or a hug.
So long and farewell……..Vi.
January 29 1933 ~ August 17 2019 (age 86)
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Viola Mina Vanson..
Death notice for the town of: Lacombe, Province: Alberta