Viola Esther Prodehl

October 10, 1914 - March 5, 2012

Viola Prodoehl, 97, of Redwood Falls died Monday, March 5, 2012 at Redwood Area Hospital. A private family memorial service will be held at 9 a.m. on Saturday, March 10, 2012 from Nelson-Martin Funeral Chapel in Redwood Falls. Burial will follow in the Zion Methodist Cemetery, Danube. Arrangements are with Nelson-Martin Funeral Service of Redwood Falls. E-mail condolences may be sent via www.nelsonmartinfuneralservice.com. Viola Esther Prodoehl, the daughter of Gustave and Rebecca (Schlueter) Oelke, was born October 10, 1914 on the family farm in Henryville Township, Renville County. When she was still an infant, the family moved to Cooperstown, North Dakota where they lived until 1928. Viola was 12 years old when they moved back to Henryville Township from North Dakota; as her mother did not like to drive, Viola drove the car most of the way. She grew up on the family farm and finished her education in country school. On November 26, 1936, Viola married Lester “Les” Prodoehl in the Middle Creek Evangelical United Brethren Church parsonage. The couple set up housekeeping in Renville where Viola worked in the bakery for a time. They relocated to Redwood Falls in 1947. Viola was a homemaker and also served as the custodian at church. She was a member of First United Methodist Church in Redwood Falls and also volunteered at the Redwood Senior Center. Viola enjoyed playing cards and flower gardening. She loved to bake and always made sure that her guests had lunch. Viola enjoyed the Minnesota Twins and Timberwolves and she always kept up on current events. Viola is survived by several nieces and nephews; as well as special friends Ramona Warner of Redwood Falls; Jeff and Teresa Schmidt of Hutchinson and their children Kyle, Eric and Alex; and Scott and Nicole Warner of Redwood Falls. She was preceded in death by her husband Les on June 24, 2001. Blessed be her memory.