Viola Nitschke

Viola Freida Nitschke, loving mother of two children, and grandmother of three grandchildren, passed away on April 11, 2023, at age 94.

Viola was born on September 30, 1928 in Gackle, North Dakota. Viola is the oldest of five children born to Simon and Bertha Koenig who lived on a farm near Alfred, North Dakota. Viola attended grade school in Alfred, North Dakota and graduated from high school in Kulm, North Dakota.  On October 19, 1947, she married Leonard Nitschke. They raised two sons, Milo and Harvey.

Viola and Leonard met on a grain field during the harvest thrashing time. After their marriage she taught school for a few years, before becoming a full-time mother, housekeeper, and worked with Leonard on the farm. She worked hard, and did everything from cooking and housekeeping, to milking cows, to working in the fields. She taught Milo and Harvey how to read and write before they entered the first grade in Jud. Viola had a green thumb and very successfully planted and grew large vegetable gardens, as well as raised chickens, ducks, geese and turkeys. She mastered the art of canning fruits and vegetables. She was a wonderful cook and managed to make full and delicious meals in addition to doing all the other farm chores.

Viola had a passion for music. Her favorite music was gospel songs and German polkas and waltzes, which she played on the accordion and piano. When she had time, you could hear her playing the music she loved, and she played for guests who would come to visit, church, and other audiences. Another of her hobbies was embroidery. She was also an expert with the sewing machine and sewed many of the shirts worn by her sons.

Viola was soft spoken, slow to anger and had a kind heart. She worked hard with her husband to provide for the family. She provided spiritual guidance for the family, and along the side of Leonard stressed the importance of education to Milo and Harvey.

Viola was preceded in death by her husband, Leonard, youngest son Harvey; granddaughter, Kristen Nitschke, her sisters Luella Nitschke and Florence Jagger and one brother, Marvin. She is survived by her oldest son Milo and his wife Martha, daughter-in-law, Patricia Ann Nitschke, one brother, Calvin Koenig, and two grandchildren, Jason Nitschke and his wife Krystal, and Brandon Nitschke and his wife Jennifer.