Viola Esther Schuerman

Viola Esther Schuerman, 104, died peacefully in her sleep on November 3, 2018, at Homestead North in Benson, MN. Born on June 15, 1914, at Milbank, SD, to Traugott and Ida Loeschke, she was baptized and confirmed at Bethlehem Lutheran Church near Milbank. Viola’s 1929 confirmation verse Psalm 13:5-6, “But I have trusted in Thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in Thy salvation. I will sing unto the Lord, because He hath dealt bountifully with me,” fit her well throughout her lifetime.

Viola met her husband at a house party in 1929 when she was just fifteen years old. Her marriage to Ervin (Dick) Schuerman took place at Bethlehem Lutheran on October 11, 1932, and they were married over sixty years, until Dick’s death on June 1, 1993.  When they were first married, Dick and Viola farmed with her parents. In 1934 they moved to a farm near Holloway, and later farmed north of Danvers. Viola was a hard-working farm wife who helped with milking cows and bottle-feeding calves. During her lifetime she went from cleaning kerosene lamp chimneys to choosing a light fixture for the dining room in their new farm home.

She was the mother of three sons and one daughter and was active with them in 4-H, school and church activities. Viola was dedicated to her family, took great pride in their accomplishments, taught them a strong work ethic and to love the Lord.  A self-taught musician, Viola provided organ music at the Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Danvers for over fifty years beginning in 1940 and ending when the church closed. Her love of music included playing violin and square dancing. Another of Viola’s talents was being a wonderful baker. Her fifteen grandchildren remember her ginger creams and flower shaped sugar cookies, often sneaking them from her freezer. Nothing made her smile brighter than having a grandbaby on her lap!

Viola is survived by her 4 Children: Lavern (Mary) Schuerman, Clinton (Janice) Schuerman, Jean (Jerry) Goff, and Virgil (Marlene) Schuerman; 15 Grandchildren: Beth (Chris) Grissom, Carrie (Pat) Ramm, Richard (Michele) Schuerman, Linda (Don) Amundson, Donna Schuerman, Susanne (Peter) Wilson, Catherine (Brian) Weedman, Philip (Nancy) Goff, Mary (Sanjeev) Sharma, Debra Goff, Aaron (Martha) Goff, Sarah Goff, Lisa Solum (Dave Steinhelfer), Kari Schuerman, Kelly (Mark) Sauder; 21 Great-grandchildren: Grant, Matthew, Laurel, Brady, Heather, Seaver, Forrest, Genevieve, Vivienne, Blake, Emily, Kristina (Nathan), Chelsey, Corey, Kolby, Jesse, Austin, Brady, Connor, Charlie, Easton; 2 Great-great-granddaughters: Maci and Chloe; and special family friend Susan Snow.

The family gives everyone who cared for Viola in her last years their greatest and warmest gratitude.