Viola Ausen Hemingway

Viola Irene Ausen Hemingway was born on November 27, 1916 in Hartland, the daughter of Martin and Nina Miller Reese. She grew up in the Hartland area and attended school. She was baptized and confirmed at the Hartland Synod Church. On June 29, 1935, Viola was united in marriage to Eric Ausen in Hartland. Following the death of Eric, Viola was married to Ralph Hemingway on June 11, 1994 at the West Freeborn Church. Viola and Ralph lived in Ellendale and she was very active in her church there. Viola was a homemaker who enjoyed quilting, cooking, making lefse, bowling, playing cards, spending time with her family, and spoiling her grandchildren. Viola was a member of the West Freeborn Lutheran Church where some of her activities included the Altar guild, church circles, ladies aide, and teaching Sunday School. She was also a member of the Sons of Norway. Survivors include her children Elaine Seath of Freeborn, John Ausen of Trinidad and his special friend Ann Conger, Virginia and her husband Harlan Kormann of San Diego, CA, Nancy O'Hara and her special friend Bill Carlson of Bloomington, MN, Sonja and her husband Les Honstad of Edina, JoAnne and her husband the Rev. James Hale, of Irvine, CA, Bob and his wife Sherry Ausen, of Charlotte, NC, Linda and her husband Doyle Honstad, of Chanhassen, and David and his wife Becky Ausen of Alden; Step-children Audrey and her husband Gene Larson, Jerry and his wife Del Hemingway, Cal and his wife Barb Hemingway, and Dave and his wife Deb Hemingway; grandchildren Gary, Sally, Eric, Marianne, Bill, Melinda, Kevin, Kathy, Kim, Kris, Jeff, Pam, Jennifer, Jessica, Janelle, Jill, Jonathon, Matt, Erika, Nate, Alexa, Chris, Nicole, Katie, Stefanie, Melissa, and Jackie; step-grandchildren Shiela, Sonja, Nathan, Mark, Marsha, Rod, Rick, Cheri, Diane, Renee, Darrel, Brant, Wendy, Colette, Susan, and Lara; great-grandchildren Avolyn, Mithra, Darianne, Jeffrey, Haylie, Marissa, David, Darren, Brad, Kassie, Kelly, Eric, Ryan, Kevin, Cole, Marcus, Zach, Eric, Matt, Chelsey, Becca, Derek, Alex, Audrey, Alexia, Dillon, Cassie, and Paige; step-great-grandchildren Aaron, Megan, Alyssa, Madison, Landon, Emily, Michael, Katy, Rachel, Megan, Jill, Grant, Dinah, Chad, Jennifer, Easton, Danielle, Benjamin, Daniel, Naomi, Sarah, Madeleine, and Hunter; sisters and brothers Bernice and her husband Ray Hendrickson of New Richland, Ardella Olson of New Richland, Ardis Christianson of Albert Lea, Doris Voigt of Mason City, IA, Maxine Hansen of Albert Lea, Donald and his wife Adeline Reese of New Richland, and Martin and his wife Beatrice Reese of Dallas, TX; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Agnes Hartz of Albert Lea, Ruth Solheid of Roseville, Oscar and his wife LaVaun Ausen of Hartland, Lillian Young of New Richland, Carroll and his wife Margrette Aasen of Albert Lea, and Paul and his wife Lois Aasen of Rice Lake, WI; and her special friend Lorraine Goette of Albert Lea. Viola was preceded in death by her parents, her husbands Eric and Ralph, her brother Merle Reese, and her son-in-law George Seath, sisters-in-law Olive Nordeen and Inga Olson, and brother-in-law Edgar Ausen.