Violet May 'Jo' Siblerud, 96
Violet May Siblerud died on June 12, 2017, at home at Gatiss Gardens with her loving family.
She was born on May 2, 1921, in Ladysmith, Wisconsin, to Ivan and Elsie Hamblin. The family, including brother, Milton, later moved to California.
She graduated from Butte Valley High School in Dorris, California, in 1939 and was class valedictorian. In her speech, Violet encouraged everyone that, “Good health, long life and happiness are not just accidents, but are a result of good habits.” After high school, she received a Certificate of Completion from Behenke-Walker Business College in Portland and worked there for a few years.
When World War II broke out, wanting to be close to her family, she moved to Vallejo, California, and went to work at Mare Island Shipyard as an electrician’s mate for U.S. Navy ship overhauls. It was during this time that she was given the nickname “Jo” by the sailors because they didn’t think Violet May fit her. The name stuck and she used it for the rest of her life.
Always one for an adventure, when the war ended, she took a job in Anchorage, Alaska, where she met her future husband, Don Siblerud, on a blind date. Don was also working in Alaska after his service as a bomber pilot in the Pacific theater during the war. They married in Alaska in 1948 and moved to Kalispell where Jo created a lifetime bond with the Siblerud family. Daughter Marcia was born in 1949 and, 10 years later, son Paul joined the family. Don and Jo were married for 63 beautiful years before his passing in 2011.
Jo was an active member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church where she loved singing in the choir. She also volunteered at Flathead Lutheran Bible Camp, Creston Fire Auxiliary and a host of other community and church groups. An avid learner and consummate gardener, she was instrumental in keeping the Gatiss Gardens vibrant and colorful over four decades. She had a spirited sense of humor that endeared her to all she met. Everyone loved her laugh!
She is survived by her children Marcia and Paul, daughter-in-law Elizabeth, grandchildren Rachel and husband Steve Bodick, Jeremy, Leah, and great-grandson Wade Bodick, all of Kalispell.
Funeral services for Jo will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 17, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church with Pastor Scott Thompson officiating.
Memorials may be made to Bethlehem Lutheran Church or the organization of the giver’s choice.