Viola Madden Means
Viola Madden Means passed away Monday, April 6, 2015 at her home in Susanville surrounded by her loving family.
Viola was born in 1924 in Gillette, Wyoming to John and Flossie (Scull) Madden.
She was raised in Oshkosh, Nebraska on the Madden family farm, which her grandmother and children homesteaded in the Great Land Rush. Viola attended the Penn Valley School District. She was able to complete school through the 8th grade due to the distance to the high school, but she taught her eight children many grandchildren, great grandchildren and others from her community lessons throughout her whole life.
Viola married Willard Means at the St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Oshkosh, Nebraska on February 21, 1949. To this union was born: Steven Means (Brenda) Theresa Santoro (Steve), Beth Hyde (Mike) Rosemary Pierce, Sabrina Morrow (Jim), Walter Means (Ikuko), Margaret DeSantis (Pete) and Nancy Cardenas (Terry).
Willard and Viola moved to Janesville in 1964, in a brand new blue Dodge Coronet packed with themselves, 7 children, the family dog plus luggage. They made their home in Janesville, California and their youngest child Nancy was born 5 years later. Over the years their grandchildren and great grandchildren loved being at their grandparents home.
Viola wrote a column for the hometown paper in Broadwater, Nebraska, she sold Stanley products in Lassen County and worked at the Sacred Heart Parish House. She was very active in her community as a room mother for her children and grandchildren, catechism teacher, member of the Janesville Jolly Elders, volunteer for Sacred Heart’s Caring and Sharing, member of the Standish Sewing Circle, and volunteer for the Janesville commodity program. She helped anyone who ever needed it and will be missed by many.
Viola is survived by 7 children, 22 grandchildren and 26 great grandchildren. Viola is preceded in death by her parents, loving husband Willard Means, and son Walter Means.
Services will be held in Susanville, California. The Rosary will be held on April 9th at Walton’s Colonial Mortuary. The funeral will be held on April 10th at Sacred Heart Catholic Church followed by interment at Diamond Crest Cemetery. Donations can be made to the Sacred Heart Caring and Sharing in Viola’s Memory: 120 North Union St., Susanville, CA, 96130
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