Services were held at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 912 New Stine Road, Bakersfield, Calif., on Monday, April 22, at 11 a.m. for Violet (Vi) Smith who passed away April 16, 2002, at the age of 76 after a tragic accident. Officiating was The Rev. Dennis Hilken.

Vi was born on May 1, 1925 in Moscow, Minn., to Albert and Amanda (Gunderson) Gullickson, the youngest of eight children. She was baptized and confirmed in the Moscow Lutheran Church near Austin, and attended Austin High School. She and her sister, Rose, moved to California during World War II and assisted in the war effort. Vi married Joe Smith in May 1948 and had three children. She was a homemaker until 1970, when she went to work for Robertshaw Controls where she worked for 20 years. She moved to Bakersfield in 1990 where she resided for the past 12 years.

A quiet, unassuming person, Vi was very strong in faith and character. She showed who she was by her actions, not by words. Vi had tremendous dependability and integrity. She was a very loving and caring individual. During her retirement years, she volunteered at the Gleaners and the Bakersfield Homeless Shelter. She will be greatly missed.

Vi is survived by her children: Steve Smith of the San Diego, Calif., area, Teri Schallock and husband Gary of Bakersfield, Calif., and Cindy Golgart and husband Stu of Long Beach, Calif.; grandchildren: Jennifer Golgart, Melody Golgart, Jeff Walker and Julie Walker; sisters and brother: Alice Underland of Owatonna, Grace Miller of Austin, Rose Collier of Monroe, La., and Grant (Lorraine) Gullickson of Austin; a sister-in-law, Lorraine Gullickson of Austin; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her mother; father; brothers: Perry, Herbert and Warren Gullickson; and this past January by her special friend, Steve Kerczak.