Violet E. Kvale, 91, passed away Saturday, June 29, 2024, at the Lake Mills Care Center.

Violet (Troe) Kvale

Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 13, 2024, at 2 p.m. at Salem Lutheran Church, 401 S. Lake Street, Lake Mills, IA 50450 with Pastor Dennis Hanson officiating.

Visitation will be Friday, July 12, 2024, from 5-7 p.m. at Schott Funeral Homes – Mittlestadt Chapel, 902 East Main Street, Lake Mills, IA 50450.

Violet Elaine Troe was born on October 7, 1932, in rural Emmons, Iowa (Worth County) to Cora O. (Johnson) and Arthur N. Troe. She was baptized and confirmed at Emmons Lutheran Church. Violet grew up as a farm girl and could do just about anything that needed doing on a farm. She was proud of attending country school and her memories of those times, her classmates and her teachers were colorful and vivid. Violet graduated from Emmons High School in 1950 and soon after moved to Lake Mills to live with an aunt and uncle.

Violet held jobs at various retail establishments in Lake Mills, including Nerby’s Pharmacy, where she once wore a sash proclaiming her the “Whirl-O-Whip Queen” to attract business to the soda fountain. One customer then visited his nephew telling him “I’ve met the perfect girl for you.” That young man was Vernell Kvale, and once he met Violet, he was smitten. The two quickly fell in love.

Violet was united in marriage to Vernell G. Kvale on April 1, 1956. Vernell and Violet together farmed at several locations, eventually settling on a farm near Emmons where they welcomed and raised their family. Their love was deep, uncomplicated and life-long. They loved and valued each other and were always most content when they were in each other’s company.

In addition to keeping house, raising four children and helping Vernell with the farm, Violet began a part-time job at the Lake Mills Community School kitchen in 1976, moved to full-time in 1980 and became head cook in 1986. She showed her ability to master new challenges by developing nutritional plans, sorting required government forms and subsidies, and managing a budget and staff. Over her 22-year career, she helped prepare lunches and breakfasts for thousands of Lake Mills students and was extremely proud and happy to call her “lunch ladies” friends as well as colleagues.

Violet and Vernell stopped farming and moved to “town” in January 1982. Soon after, Vernell also began working at the school. They walked to work each morning early to start coffee and spend time together before beginning their duties and were able to see each other during the workday-a return to the rhythm they had experienced for so many years on the farm. They were so happy to be doing jobs they knew served others, happy to be around children and friends on staff at the school and happy to be able to work together.

Violet knew what was important in her life: her faith in God, her husband and her children and grandchildren. She always put others ahead of herself, making the time to attend her Circle and ALCW meetings as well as church every Sunday at Salem Lutheran Church, always sitting in the pew under the Ten Commandments window. She was always willing to do something special for a friend, neighbor or family member, make a favorite dish or baked good, lend a hand with a task or help as needed without every seeking the spotlight. Violet loved word puzzles and jigsaw puzzles and was an avid reader. Violet was a member of the Lake Mills Library book club for many years and always had at least one book underway and a stack of new books waiting next to her chair.

Violet is survived by her children: Valerie Kvale (Bruce Polacek) of Twin Lakes, MN, Roy Kvale of Lake Mills, IA, Ellen Giuntini (Philip) of Oakton, VA, and Neal Kvale (Tina) of Cedar Falls, IA; four grandchildren: Samantha Giuntini, Matthew Giuntini, Paige Kvale and Taylor Kvale; three sisters-in-law: Bonnie Troe, Vinton, IA, Shirley Kvale, Lake Mills, IA, and Gloria Kvale, Lake Mills, IA.

Violet was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 54 years, Vernell, an infant daughter, Cathy Jo, her sister and brothers, and her sister- and brothers-in law.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages memorials be made to Salem Lutheran Church.