Violet Gruenberg

Violet Gruenberg, 91, of Breckenridge, MN (formerly Wolverton, MN), passed away on Friday, July 13, 2018, at St. Catherine’s Living Center in Wahpeton, ND, of acute leukemia.  Visitation will be held on Saturday, July 21, 2018, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., followed by a celebration of life service at 11:00 a.m. at Breckenridge Lutheran Church.  The burial will be at a later date at the North Dakota Veteran’s Cemetery in Mandan, ND.  In lieu of flowers, memorials to Breckenridge Lutheran Church, the North Dakota Veteran’s Cemetery, or to a charity of your choice are preferred.

Violet Wyra Kosel was born on a farm in McIntosh County (near Forbes), ND, on February 14, 1927, to Jacob and Frieda (Klepfel) Kosel. Growing up, Violet could only speak and understand the German language; as this was the case for many families living in this area. Despite this barrier, she successfully completed school through the 8th grade. After a few years, Violet, her parents, and five brothers moved to a farm near Campbell, MN. Throughout the years, she treasured several fond memories with her family, especially phone calls and visits with her siblings.

At the age of 16, Violet worked as a nurse’s aide at St. Francis Hospital in Breckenridge, MN for five years. Violet and Harold met at a wedding dance at the Pavilion in Breckenridge and shortly after this, began courting. On September 16, 1948, they were united in holy matrimony at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Tyler, ND. They made their home on a farm near Wolverton, MN. Violet enjoyed life on the farm and she helped Harold with several tasks such as equipment repairs and unloading grain. She loved to fill her days making delicious meals for her family and hired workers. She also enjoyed gardening, tending to her beautiful flower beds, and mowing their large yard. After 46 years of marriage, Harold passed away on June 26, 1995.

Violet was active in her church, 4H, and community organizations in Wolverton where she helped with cooking, baking, and serving meals. Her volunteer work was incredibly valued in many areas, especially at St. Francis Nursing Home, Park Manor and Breckenridge Lutheran Church. When Violet wasn’t volunteering, she enjoyed embroidering dishtowels that were then gifted to her family members. Among her favorites things were watching Lawrence Welk and dancing the waltzes, polkas, and jitterbug. Over the years, there were many lasting memories of the Gruenberg family reunions and the Kosel family get-togethers where she made sure to ask everyone, “how are you doing?” Above all, Violet treasured her family and considered her role as wife, mother, and grandmother her most valued of all blessings.

Violet is survived by her daughters, Barbara (Craig) Sorenson, Janice (Mike) Kleinschmidt, and Patricia (Shane) Floden; 9 grandchildren, Lisa (Troy) Boehm, Chad (Shannon) Sorenson, Ryan (Jamie) Sorenson, Jami Kleinschmidt, Tami (fiancé, Teddy Snyder) Kleinschmidt, Sara Kleinschmidt (friend, Jeff Miller), Nicole (fiancé, Ryan Hobbs) Ondrachek, Madison Floden, and Elizabeth Floden; 5 great-grandchildren, Brita Sorenson, Cody Sorenson, Cyan Sorenson, Emily Peterson, and Bentlee Ondrachek; brothers, Roy (Mary) Kosel and Alvin (Mary) Kosel; brother-in-law, Louis Gruenberg; sisters-in-law, Mary Kosel and Ruth Gruenberg; and many nieces and nephews.

Violet was preceded in death by her husband, Harold Gruenberg; her parents, Jacob and Frieda Kosel; brothers, Ralph, Walter, Richard, and an infant Brother; grandchild-in-law, Trent Ondrachek; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Herman and Clara (Mittendorf) Gruenberg; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Dorothy (Erhart) Marohl, Loretta (Lawrence) Plummer, A.W. (Fern) Gruenberg, Robert (Audrey) Gruenberg, Betty Gruenberg, Leonard Gruenberg, Florence (Ray) Froslie, Alvin Gruenberg, Evelyn (Ted) Marohl, and Lavonne Gruenberg.

Arrangements are entrusted to Joseph Vertin and Sons Funeral Home, Breckenridge.