Violet Howser died peacefully on Sept. 6, 2011, following a severe stroke on June 10, 2011. She was 89 years old.

Violet was born Jan. 2, 1922, in Hartland. She grew up on the family farm east of Hartland and attended the Hartland Elementary School, Freeborn High School and was valedictorian of her graduating class. There she met Dale Howser and they were married on March 19, 1941.

After Dale returned for the Army they purchased the John Deere shop in Hartland where Violet was a business partner and accountant for many years. In the early 1970s they sold the business and moved to Dallas, Texas, area. There, Violet worked at the Federal National Mortgage Association in their foreclosure department for 17 years. Upon retirement, Violet started oil painting classes and produced many fine paintings. In early 2008 she moved to Monterey, Calif., to be close to her daughter.

Survivors include her daughter Marcia (Kent) Wall of Carmel, Calif., and her son Joel (Susan) Howser of Dacula, Ga.; grandchildren Maureen (Bryan) Tucker, Nicole (Jason) Lennig, Danielle (Seth) Hosmer, Matthew (Lauren) Wall, and seven great-grandchildren.

Violet was loved and appreciated by all she met, and she will be missed by all her family and friends.

At a future date a memorial service will be held at the Cross of Glory Lutheran Church in Hartland.