Viola Laskewitz passed away on

Aug. 14, 2006, at

St. Joseph Medical Center in Brainerd. She was in the company of her great-grandchildren, Sam and Natasha Lenz, and granddaughter-in&045;law Kyong Lenz at the time of her transition.

Viola was born in Wells on Jan. 11, 1919. She was a longtime resident of Albert Lea, having married Alfred Leonard Laskewitz on Oct. 9, 1935. Together, they were members of the

United Methodist Church where Leonard taught Sunday school for over 25 years and Viola was a member of the church circle. Leonard and Viola enjoyed traveling, often wintering in Texas and Mexico. They traveled with their grandchildren taking them through out the U.S. and Canada.

Viola was a talented artist and liked crafting. She is perhaps best known for her hand made greeting cards. She was an avid gardener with a special love of flowers. Viola created a resplendent rock garden teeming with flowers at her former home on Frank Avenue. Viola also loved sporty cars.

Viola moved to &8220;Heritage House&8221; in Pequot Lakes to be closer to daughter Carol. Viola had a stroke a few years earlier and later suffered dementia. Despite the dementia, Viola enjoyed listening to Daniel O’Donnell on an almost daily basis.

She is preceded in her death by her husband Leonard (November, 1987), to whom she was married for 52 years, her parents, Thornton Zimmerman and Mabel Dammen, her two brothers, Kenneth Zimmerman and Roland (Pete) Zimmerman, and a nephew Bruce Zimmerman.

She is survived by her daughters Carol Scott (formerly Lenz) of Pequot Lakes, and Terry Moore of San Bernardino, Calif.; one brother, Noble (a.k.a. Babe) Zimmerman and his wife Vonny of Maryville, Mo.; grandchildren, Kerry Lenz of Moose Lake, Michael Lenz of Rochester, Kyong Lenz of Rochester, Stacey Lenz of Tampa, Fla., and Jessica Spikes of San Bernardino, Calif.; great-grandchildren Sam and Natasha Lenz of Rochester, Olivia Lenz of Tampa, Fla., and Brianna Bacon of San Bernardino, Calif. Additional family members include Warren Lenz of Albert Lea, Methinee and Thidarat Lenz of Rochester, longtime friend Rosie Larsen of Albert Lea, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Viola will be cremated and her remains interred next to her husband at Lakewood Cemetery, Albert Lea. Bonnerup Funeral Home will oversee the final farewell. A memorial service will take place at a later date.