Viola L. Daye

Viola Daye, 94, passed away peacefully at her home at Vickery Rose Retirement Resort in Roswell, GA on April 7, 2023 after a brief illness.

Viola was born along with her twin sister Violet in West Allis, WI on March 10, 1929 to the late Jesse and Ella (Kropp) Rohde. The family moved to Spring Lake, WI during her childhood and it was at this home that a lot of memories were made with family. When Viola was 15, she went to a carnival with friends and rode the “Chair-O-Plane” with a young man named Dwayne. From that point forward, she knew whom she was going to marry! On August 21, 1946 that dream came true and Viola and Dwayne made their home on Dwayne’s family farm where they lived and farmed for the next 56 years. During this time, they raised two daughters and had a busy farm life. Viola was not just a farmer’s wife; she held a variety of jobs over the years and served on the Crystal Lake Township board in multiple capacities from Treasurer to Supervisor. In 1972, she heard of an opening for a substitute mail carrier position in Neshkoro and decided to apply. She ended up with a full-time mail route and a job that she enjoyed for 20 years. She loved seeing the beauty of a fresh snowfall and making the first tracks on an unplowed road even though driving could be treacherous. She marveled in the beauty of God’s world and the privilege of being out in it on a daily basis. Grandchildren were born during these years and Viola and Dwayne enjoyed spending time with them and cheering them on with their activities. Viola was also very involved in their church, Zion United Methodist Church in Neshkoro. She served on a variety of different committees over the years and was very involved and proud of the remodeling project which made the church accessible for those with physical disabilities. She also served on the Camp Budsin board and enjoyed her involvement in contributing to her local community. In 2002, Viola and Dwayne decided to down-size from the family farm and moved to a home nearby where they enjoyed the next 15 years together. They enjoyed their retirement years by tinkering around their home and gardens, visiting with family and friends, a little bit of travel and enjoying each other’s company. After Dwayne passed in 2017, Viola continued to live in their home and appreciated the assistance of her family and special friends and caregivers who would make sure she could get to church and to town. Late in 2020, she agreed to make a move to Roswell, GA to be near her daughter and son-in-law. She made her new home at Vickery Rose and met some dear friends and enjoyed many activities in her community, especially the crafting classes. She also became an affiliate member of St Andrew United Methodist Church in Marietta, GA where she attended with her daughter. She enjoyed helping make braciolas for Christmas at the home of Linda Zenkovich. She made trips back to Wisconsin over the past two summers for reunions. On March 29, she was determined to attend the special March birthday dinner of which she was one of the honorees at Vickery Rose. It was an extra-special evening. She shared her last days with family and special Vickery Rose friends who spent time with her each day.

Viola is survived by two daughters, Erlinda (Russ) Beebe and Lori (Edward) Zenkovich; two grandchildren, Bethany (Michael) Newman and Mark (Chrys) Beebe; three great-grandsons, Colin, Dylan and Brendin Newman; two great-granddaughters, Kennedy and Lyla Beebe; one stepbrother, Arnold (Donna) Rohde; a half-sister, Nordeen Zimmerman; three sister-in-laws, Marilyn Lange, Valois (Gustav) Ponto and Vivian Loomis. Even though Viola didn’t travel internationally, she opened her heart to foreign exchange students who joined the family including Sisi (Indonesia), Jim (Greece), Patsy (Hong Kong), Igor (Africa) and pen friend Robin (New Zealand). Viola is further survived by a cousin, Valoise Meyer; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and many dear friends.

Preceding Viola in death were her husband of 72 years, Dwayne; parents, Jesse and Ella Rohde; her in-laws, Alfred and Della Daye; her brothers and their wives, Gilbert (Mary), Jesse Jr (Colleen) and Gerald (Marge) Rohde; her sisters and their husbands, Gladys (Orville) Morris, Arlouine (Ronald) Booth and Violet (Fred) Schlender; three sister-in-laws, Marcella Daye, Ione (Earl) Simkins, Elberta (Russell) Reetz; three brother-in-laws, Harold (Mavis) Daye, Eddie Lange, Ronnie Loomis and a granddaughter Katherine Jo Beebe.

A Celebration of Viola’s Life will be held on Saturday, June 24, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. at Zion United Methodist Church, 200 E Bluff Street, Neshkoro, Wisconsin with Rev. Larry Rieck officiating. Visitation will be held on Saturday at the church from 11:00 a.m. until the time of services.  

Memorial contributions are welcome to Zion United Methodist Church, PO Box 25, Neshkoro, WI 54960 or St Andrew United Methodist Church, 3455 Canton Rd, Marietta, GA 30066.

Special thanks to the staff at Agape Hospice, Golden Home Services and a special caregiver Angel who made Viola’s last days extra-special.