Viola Gruhl

Evelyn Viola Gruhl, 91, passed to her heavenly home on Saturday, August 25, 2012, in Moorhead, Minnesota. Visitation will be on Tuesday, August 28 from 5-7 pm, with prayer service at 7 at Wright Funeral Home in Hawley. The funeral will be 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 29 at Hegland Lutheran Church, rural Hawley, Minnesota. Evelyn Viola Engen was born September 22, 1920, to Herbrand H. and Ragna Heiberg Engen at the home farm in Skree Township, Clay County, Minnesota. Her sister Helen called Viola, the youngest of the Engen children, "Babe," the name by which she was known by family and friends her entire life. Viola's mother died when Viola was nine, and her father died when she was 16, so she was raised by her brothers and sisters. Viola completed the ninth grade at Plainview School. She worked on the family farm and was employed as a housekeeper for various families in the area.Viola married Herman Gruhl on May 10, 1941, at his parents' home in Cromwell Township. They lived with his parents the first year, then moved to Skree Township south of Hawley where they purchased farmland, making that their home for the next 57 years. Viola and Herman had three children: Jean, Renee, and Richard. Throughout her life Viola was an active member of rural Hegland Lutheran Church of which her father was a charter member. She served leadership roles in the Ladies Aid and Sunday School, sang in the choir, and participated in Deborah Circle despite declining health. Viola was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, showing her love by eagerly sharing her time and gifts with all. She was a very talented homemaker. She won blue ribbons for her bread, pastries, and preserves, and was well known for her exceptional angel food cakes. She grew large vegetable gardens and maintained strawberry and raspberry beds. She enjoyed sewing clothing and quilts and creating crafts. In addition to her role as a farm wife, Viola worked at Riverside Inn in Hawley and Concordia College, Moorhead.Viola is survived by her children and grandchildren: Gerald and Jean Newborg, Bismarck, ND, and their children Erica Paul Franklin, Fargo, and Annette Josh Marzolf, Fargo; Renee Jensen, Stephen, MN, and her children Philip and long-term girlfriend Erin Grund, Billings, MT, Paul and his fiancé Karin Holmberg, Charlottesville, VA, and Michelle and her fiancé Justin Scharpen, Chaska, MN; and Richard and Lori Gruhl, Hawley, and their children Robert, Moorhead, and Emma, Hawley. Also surviving are her sister Helen Dearmin, Chula Vista, CA; sister-in-law Lillian Gruhl, Hawley; sister-in-law Margaret Krause, Long Prairie, MN; and many nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends. Preceding Viola in death were her husband, Herman; sisters Tilda Floberg and Lillian Christianson; brothers Selvin, Theodore Ted, H.R. Bob, and Norman; and her parents.In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Alzheimer's Association of MN and ND, Hospice of the Red River Valley, Fargo, or a charity of the giver's choice.