Viola Mary Corneliusen

Viola Mary Corneliusen was born on Jan 28, 1926, in Franklin Township, Wright County, Minnesota, the daughter of William and Mary (Czech) Motzko. She was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic Faith. She attended grade school in Delano and Graduated from Watertown High School as the Valedictorian of her class. She grew up in Watertown and she worked at AO Smith Ammunition Factory during World War II. In the 1940’s she worked at the Groveland Hotel until she moved to Benson, Minnesota, where she worked at her father’s café the Viking Café, with her sisters Eleanor, Lillian, Caroline, and Velma. She also worked for Benson Produce candling eggs and for Fingerhut.

On May 20, 1948, Viola was united in Marriage to LaMarr Corneliusen at the St. Francis Catholic Church in Benson. This was a double wedding as her sister Caroline married Gordon Gulbranson on the same day. They moved to California and lived there for a short time before moving back to Benson. Together they were able to share in over 53 years of marriage and they were blessed with four children.

She was a life time member of the Benson VFW Auxiliary and the St. Francis Catholic Women’s Group. She enjoyed Golfing, Bowling, Fishing, Puzzles, and she was a member of the Bridge Club. She loved visiting with her family and friends. She was called from this life on Monday Evening, January 1, 2018, at the St. Cloud Hospital. She attained the age of 91 years, 11 months, and 4 days.

She is survived by her children Charlotte (Randy) Halstad of Duncans Mill, California, Marla Forbord of Benson, Gregory Corneliusen of Benson, and Bruce Corneliusen (Julie) of Alexandria; 8 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; 3 great great grandchildren; her siblings; Dennis (JoAnn) Motzko of Burnsville, Edward (Betty) Motzko of Wellington, Colorado, Jerome Motzko of Benson; sister-in-law Anne Marie Motzko of Granite Falls, brother-in-law Leon Lucas of Seattle, Washington; and several nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband LaMarr in 2001, her parents William and Mary, a son Thomas Jeffery Corneliusen, siblings Eleanore (Luther) Lee, Lillian (Vernon) Gulbranson, Lenard (Juliana) Motzko, Wilfred (Nora) Motzko, Carmen Motzko, Richard Motzko, Darlene (Richard) Grant, Alice Lucas, Caroline (Gordon) Gulbranson, and Velma (Willie) Amundson. Blessed be her memory.