Violet J. (Hone) Rask, 91
Violet J. Rask passed away Dec. 19, 2016, from complications after a fall and breaking her hip.
Vi was born March 8, 1925, in Brisbane, Australia, to Harry and Jessie (McLean) Hone, the fifth of sixth children. Vi went to live with her Aunti Ollie Hone when she was 4 years old, attending school and spending winters in Townsville, Australia, where it was warmer. Summers were spent in Brisbane. She started school at 4 years old and graduated high school at 16. She went to work while attending additional classes. Vi enjoyed young life with a lifelong childhood friend, Helen (Little) Stevens.
Vi met a charming soldier, Norman Rask, who called on her every time his ship docked in Brisbane. They were married Aug. 31, 1945, at Baptist City Tabernacle Church in Brisbane. Vi lived in Brisbane while Norm finished his Army duty, where their first son, Lawrence was born.
When Norm was discharged and shipped back to the states, Vi and Larry spent one month on a war bride ship traveling back, docking off the coast of California. They settled in Marshall, Minnesota, where their next two sons where born, Paul and Thomas. Vi took care of he family and made lifelong friends.
Norm went to school, moving his family to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where he began his career as a linotype operator for the local newspaper. This is where their daughter Debra was born. Two and a half years later they all moved to Denver where they spent the next 25 years.
In 1962 Vi started working part time with a girlfriend serving banquets at a country club. When all her children were in school, Vi started working at Sears in Northglenn Mall, then later moving to Westland Shopping Center where she retired in 1985.
Norm and Vi then moved to Kalispell where she volunteered at the Senior Center, the Friendship House and the Kalispell Information Booth. She really enjoyed her time helping the residents at the Friendship House.
When Norm passed in 1997, Vi moved back to Denver to where Paul, Maria and family live. She spent winters visiting Tom and Paulette in Texas, eventually moving to their home in 2011. Vi preferred the winters in Texas except for the rare snow storm. Her Australian blood loved the warm sun.
Early in 2016, Vi moved back to Denver, where she was closer to her final resting placed near Norm.
Vi was preceded in death by her husband, Norman, of 51 years; an infant son, Robert; parents; sister, Gracie; and four brothers, Leslie, Harold, Jack and Frank Hone.
She is survived by her three sons and their wives, Larry and Fran Rask of Massachusetts, Paul and Maria Rask of Colorado, and Tom and Paulette Rask of Texas; and daughter, Debbie Hanson, of Montana; seven grandchildren, Darlene Langlois, Amanda Lefebvre (Geoff) Crystal Augusta (Jeff), Cristina Rask (Keith Drones), Krista Taylor (Bobby), Aaron Rask (Mary) and Nicolas Rask; and 12 great-grandchildren, and family members in Australia.
“Rest in your Father’s arms.”
Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will take place in Denver in March.