Viola J. O'Day

Viola Loftness O'Day, 97, of Moorhead died surrounded by her loving family on July 4th, 2009 in Eventide Lutheran Home, Moorhead. Viola was born November 21, 1911 in Thief River Falls, MN to Andrias and Palma Nelson Loftness. She grew up on their family farm with her three sisters and one brother, all whom remained close through out the years. On August 9, 1941 she married Henry O'Day. They made their home in Moorhead. She received her Bachelors degree from Minnesota State College in 1958. In 1963 she achieved her Masters degree in education from Moorhead University. Her love of teaching lead her to a professional career that spanned 47 years. Vi brought that love of teaching home to her sons and granddaughters. She taught all of them how to play the piano, swim, draw and fueled their creativity with the plays she planned for the girls to perform at the holidays.She took pride in everything she did from her extraordinary garden to her extensive research and documentation of family ancestry. She enjoyed entertaining with dinner parties for friends and family as much as she enjoyed peaceful evenings with Hank on their back patio.Viola is survived by her two sons, Larry and Warren Xiaoru; three grandchildren, Renell Ray Welle, Erica and Amber Erik Arvidson; and three great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents; brother, Einar Loftness; and three sisters, Mildred Franson, Elvina Loftness and Bernice Ostrom; and husband, Henry.