Viola M. Mellmer

Viola M. Mellmer, 79, Bismarck, died September 6, 2012, at Missouri Slope Lutheran Care Center. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday at 10:30 AM at Church of Corpus Christi in Bismarck with Rev. Paul Becker officiating. Burial will be at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery in New England. Visitation will be Monday from 5:00 - 8:00 PM at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck, where a Rosary service will begin at 7:00 PM. Visitation will continue on Tuesday one hour prior to the service at the church. Viola was born November 21, 1932, in New England, ND, the daughter of Casper and Mary Wandler Wanner. She attended St. Mary's Catholic School. Viola met Peter Mellmer Jr. at a dance where she played piano accompanying her dad on the accordion. Peter played saxophone. They were married on January 11, 1949. They lived on the family farm for one year, and then moved to Dunseith, ND, as owners of the Dakota Hotel for 20 years. She worked at San Haven State Hospital as a nurse's aide for two years. In 1972 Peter and Viola moved to Bismarck, where she had several retail positions at Lund Jewelry, Penney's, and finally at Target, where she retired after 15 years as price change supervisor. Viola was a member of the Eagles Auxiliary for 40 years and spent many hours donating her time there. She received the 2002 Dakota State Auxiliary "Woman of the Year Award". She was an excellent cook, and enjoyed baking, dancing and listening to old-time music. She is survived by their children, Connie Krusinski, Chicago, IL, Jim Donna Mellmer, Mandan, Patti Tom Weisbeck, Bismarck, and Lynette Bob Norbeck, Bismarck; one sister, Loretta Svihovec, Dickinson; two brothers, Lester Wanner, Dickinson, and Roger Jane Wanner, Reno, NV; eight grandchildren, Jeff Camie Krusinski, Chicago, Bob Kim Krusinski, Denver, CO, Tom Krusinski and Debbie Krusinski, Chicago, Lindsey Norbeck, Fargo, Erin Jere Heide, Osmond, NE, Jason Mellmer, Fargo, and Parker Weisbeck, Bismarck. She also leaves five great-grandchildren. Viola was preceded in death by her husband, Peter; her parents; her brothers-in-law, Gary Svihovec and Andy Rettinger; and her son-in-law, Ted Krusinski.

Viola M. Mellmer

November 21, 1932 - September 6, 2012