Vi was adored by her children

Funeral services for Viola Lohn age 86 of Aberdeen formally of Mobridge will be 10:30 AM Saturday, July 26, 2014 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Mobridge, SD. Burial will be in the Greenwood Cemetery under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge. Visitation will be Friday, July 25, 2014 from 3 PM with the family present at 5 PM, a prayer service to follow at 7 PM at the funeral home. Viola passed away, Saturday, July 19, 2014 at Bethesda Home of Aberdeen. Memorial service at Bethesda Home, Monday, July 28, at 7:30 PM, with coffee to following.

Viola Bernice Berglund was born august 16, 1927 in Hawick, MN to Otto and Beatrice (Pelke) Berglund. She was one of six children growing up in the Hawick/New London, MN area. Her siblings were Flossie, June, Dorothy, Otis, Floyd.

Viola married Arnold C.C. Skeie in 1946 and they continued their lives in New London making it their home. They were blessed with five children: Bruce (February 1, 1947), Judy (March 9, 1948), Linda (October 31, 1950), Douglas (August 10, 1953), Debra (September 28, 1954). Arnold passed away in July 1958 leaving Viola to raise her children on her own. She moved with her children to Mobridge, SD in the summer of 1962. This is where she was courted by Chester S. Lohn. They married in 1964. Chet was a shining light in Viola's eye helping her continue to raise her five children.

Viola had an unbelievable work ethic passing this on to her children through example. She first worked as a nurses aid at the Mobridge Community Hospital. Following that she started her long career in the restaurant/service area. Many will remember her working at then, the Arcade owned by the Radabaugh family. Following Chet's retirement they took on the management of the American Legion Club together as a couple. Chet's passing in 1991 left her a widow for the second time. Viola continued her career in the service area going back to the Arcade and working for Jack Morris and then Roger Beranek (deceased). She became great friends with Peggy Jackson working for her at the Windjammer and also RJ's. Rose Barton was her loyal companion during these days. They became well known as part of the "Golden Girls' which also included Babe Lockhurst and Evie Hamann (deceased). Viola was finally convinced by her children to retire at the age of 70.

Following this she continued her time traveling to visit her children, spending time with Judy and family in Fredrick, SD, and enjoying time with the "Golden Girls". Many will remember seeing her on her long daily walks. She also loved working in her yard. She was the happiest when she was surrounded by her children and families. Viola was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church since 1962. WELCA and American Legion Auxiliary.

During her last few years in Mobridge Jolyn Hardcastle became her surrogate daughter watching over her. In May 2010 she moved from Mobridge to the Bethesda Nursing Home in Aberdeen, SD. She continued there for four years making many new friends and spending quality time with her daughter Judy and family. She became well known for her loving sense of humor with the staff. Each of them looked forward to caring for her and have many stories to share about their experience with her. She continued with the many activities up until her death especially Bingo. Winning the Black Out Bingo many times.

Viola is survived by her son, Bruce & (Susan) Skeie, Rapid City with Eric and Brenden
LaFere and 6 other stepchildren (various states) daughter Judy & (Miles) Bretsch,
grandson Derik, great-grandchidren Angela, Hunter, Case, Grandson David all from Frederick, SD, daughter Linda Skeie, Boynton Beach, FL, Grandson Danny, (Julie) Ott, Boca Raton, FL, great-grandchildren Lucia Ott, Boca Raton, FL, Mia Ott and great-great-grandchild Cristiano Hernandez, Tucson, AZ, son Doug & (Lee Ann) Skeie, Sturgis, SD, granddaughter Sarah & (Ben) Leingang, great-grandchildren Aliyah & Anthony all from Mandan, ND, grandchild, Michael and (Becky) Skeie great-grandchild Atley, step-granchild Kamdyn all from Sioux Falls, SD., daughter, Debra & (Doug) Pool, Las Vegas, NV, grandson Bill & (Michelle) Thiel, great-grandchildren, Braxton, Xander & Devin all from Atlanta, GA, Step grandchildren, Ben Pool & Stephanie Pool, Santa Monica, CA, Shannon Flores , great-grandchild, Aidan Flores, Las Vegas, NV, sisters, June (Andrew) Olson, Willmar, MN, Dorothy Olson, Glenwood, MN, brother Otis (Carol) Berglund, Lansing, KS and many loving nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her two husbands, Arnold, and Chet, one brother (Floyd) and one sister (Flossie)

Special thanks to the Staff at Bethesda Nursing Home for their excellent care of Viola during her stay making it her home. She truly loved it there and loved those who cared for her.