The funeral service for Violet Lucille Matthies, of Albert Lea, will be held 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 25, at First Lutheran Church, Albert Lea. The Rev. John Holt will officiate. Interment will be in the Hillcrest Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. today, May 24, at Bonnerup Funeral Service, and one hour before at the church.

Violet died peacefully at the Albert Lea Medical Center on Sunday, May 22, 2005. She was 90 years old.

Violet was born on Dec. 7, 1914, to Henry E. and Clara (Christensen) Johnson in Albert Lea. She graduated from the Albert Lea High School in 1933. On March 20, 1935, she was united in marriage with William N. Matthies Sr. She was a member of the First Lutheran Church where she taught Sunday School and was an active member of Circle # 19. She worked at the Rex Cafe in Albert Lea for several years, and later worked with the F.W. Means Co. for 33 years. She was actively involved with the Red Cross Blood Bank and enjoyed visiting residents of the local nursing homes in the area. Her family was very important to her.

Violet is survived by her two sons: William Matthies Jr. (Evelyn) from Brainerd, and Col. Michael Matthies (Mary Jo) from Pinehurst, N.C.; four grandchildren: Jim (Melissa) Matthies of Mankato, Jane Matthles-Holtan (Keith) of Kenai, Alaska, Todd (Darlene) Matthies of Brainerd, and Jennifer Matthies of Quincy, Mass.; six great -grandchildren: Beau ( Shelly), Billy and Dalton Matthies, all from Mankato, McKinley Holtan of Alaska, Nicole Smith of Brainerd, and Ramona Matthies from Mass.; one great-great grandson, Tanner Matthies of Mankato; siblings: Janet Schwartz of California, Shirley (Ken ) Oman of Albert Lea, Henry Marge) Johnson of Enumclaw, Wash., Robert ( Evelyn) Johnson and Larry ( Sandra) Johnson of Albert Lea, Roger Donna) Johnson of St. Louis Park, Richard (Debra) Johnson of Eden Prairie, and Kenneth (Evelyn) Johnson of Bemidji; and loving nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, William, in 1999; and sisters: Dorothy Selland, Kitty Gilmore and Betty Westrum.

Her family will miss this generous warm hearted woman, as will her friends at Bancroft Creek Estates.