Violet Barton
| Date of Interment or Death | 03/22/2024 |
|---|---|
| Location | Garden of the Christus |
| Block and Lot | 140C |
| Grave | 2 |
Obituary
Violet “Vi” Barton, 93 passed away Saturday, March 16, 2024 at St. Francis Nursing Home, Breckenridge, MN. Visitation will be Friday, March 22, 2024 from 1-3 p.m. followed by the funeral service at 3:00 p.m. at United Church of Christ, Wahpeton, ND. Burial will be at Fairview Cemetery, Wahpeton. The service will be recorded and uploaded shortly after the service.
Violet “Vi” F. Barton was born to August and Selma (Hagen) Karlson on June 15th, 1930, at home north of Veblen, South Dakota. Vi was the youngest of seven children. At the age of 14 is when Vi’s strength and ability to care for others came to light when she moved to Oakes to care for her Uncle Bill, who was legally blind. At 16 her mother Selma had passed away; she then went to live with her uncle Dan and provided aid as he was deaf. At 25 her father August passed away and she moved her handicapped sister Sally to live with her in Oakes and provided in her care until 1957.
While attending high school, Vi would travel everyday afterschool from Oakes to Veblen to care for her family. In 1948 Vi graduated from Oakes High School, from there she attended Ellendale State College and obtained a certificate in teaching. While attending college she met her husband Donald Chelgren, they were married on May 22, 1949. Don and Vi had their first child Larry in March of 1953. In the fall of 1956 Don unexpectedly passed away and their daughter Donnette was born in April of 1957.
After Dons passing, Vi went to work for Ottertail Power Company and met her second husband George Barton. On New Year’s Eve 1958 George and Vi decided to tie the knot. In November of 1960 their daughter Nola was born.
Vi taught at Oakes Public Schools from 1949-52, Sargent Central Public Schools from 1968-1972 until the family moved to Wahpeton, ND She was a bookkeeper at Smith Motors in Wahpeton, ND from 1972-78. Vi worked at NDSCS as a Dorm Mother at Walton-Schultz Hall from 1978-85. Vi was employed by Wahpeton Public Schools as a Special Education Paraeducator from 1978-92. During this time Vi was also employed by Red River Human Services Foundation caring for those with physical and developmental needs.
Vi ended her working career caring for others in 1992 to care for her husband George until his passing in 1994. Her entire life was dedicated to caring for others, but she took great pride in caring for her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
Vi was a teacher, caregiver, and provided anyone she knew with unconditional love. Vi enjoyed sewing, playing cards, crossword puzzles, and Sunday drives. She was an avid watcher of the Golden Girls, Wheel of Fortune, CNN, and FOX News. She loved every holiday and family gatherings and looked forward to it each year. Vi was a lifetime member of the Oakes VFW Woman’s Auxiliary. Vi also enjoyed tipping back an Old Mil Heavy or a Grain Belt Premium, but it had to be poured in glass. Most of all Vi loved anything purple.
She is survived by her son Larry (Fae Rowe), Oakes, ND. Two daughters Donnette (Larry) Ewalt, Webster, SD, and Nola (Brian) Rempfer, Wahpeton, ND. She is also survived by six grandchildren, Brian, Kevin Ewalt, Jenny Bleick, Jamie (Jodie)Frankl, Jody Oswalt (Ryan Fenske) and Matt Pausch. 20 great-grandchildren Anastasia and Gregory Ewalt, Akela and Owin Ewalt, Priscilla Ryder, Mateland Wagner, Michael Wagner, Wyatt Larson, Colton Frankl, Klara Oswalt, Karter Oswalt, Macie Fenske, Bella Pausch, Kinley Frankl, Jace Pausch, Emrie Frankl and a special nephew Herb Prochnow.
She is proceeded in death by her parents August and Selma Karlson, brothers Edwin (Delighah) Karlson and Chester (Orva) Karlson, and four sisters, Agnes (Jesse) Hoines, Inga (Oscar) Prochnow, Salice Karlson, and Ester (Darrell) Blair, an infant son, great granddaughter Alexis Frankl, and special nephew Richie Prochnow.
The family would like to thank St. Francis Nursing Home and CHI Hospice Care. The family honoring Vi by wearing something purple.
Headstone photograph(s)
Location
The Garden of the Christus is located in the Memorial Gardens, which comprises the northern half of the cemetery.