Viola 'Vi' Wellman, 85

Viola “Vi” Wellman, 85, “entered Heaven” on March 6, 2011.

She was born Nov. 12, 1925, in Towner, N.D., to Edgar and Marjorie Jean McDonald Wellman, the oldest of three children. She grew up splitting her time between Glacier National Park, Bear Creek Ranch, Essex and Arizona at Camelback Inn, helping her family.

Viola graduated high school through determination, writing with her left hand, and in bed because of a horseback riding accident. She also attended higher education schools. She always helped her parents and her two brothers, Dalton and Bob.

She lived in Las Vegas for many years near her brother Dalton and Anne Wellman, then moved to Kalispell to be near her brother, Bob and Carole. She spent her last few years being lovingly cared for by all the staff at Immanuel Lutheran Home.

Viola is survived by her nephews, Terry, Robert, Ed, Wallace, Dalton “Dee,” Craig and Dale Wellman; and also her nieces, Debra Wellman, Verla LaPlant, Cindy Barcus and Carole Harwood; and many great- and great-great-nieces and -nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Dalton and Bob Wellman; and niece, Marjorie.

Memorial services will be held at 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 12, at Buffalo Hill Funeral Home.