Viola Werdebaugh, age 95, of Alcester, SD died June 7, 2010 at Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD. Funeral services will be at 1PM on Saturday, June 12th at Nathanael Lutheran Church in Alcester. Visitation will be Friday from 5-8PM at Wass Funeral Home in Alcester with the family present from 6-8PM and a prayer service at 7PM.

Laura Viola Herbrandson was born at her family farm in Norway Township, Lincoln County, SD on November 23, 1914. Her parents were Henry and Anne (Asper) Herbrandson. She was the youngest of five siblings.

Viola attended Normanna Elementary School, Red Wing Seminary in Red Wing, MN and Alcester High School, graduating in 1933. She graduated from Swedish Hospital School of Nursing, Minneapolis, MN in 1936 and began her nursing career. Viola held a variety of positions which included hospital nursing, American Red Cross, YMCA Camp, assistant director at Mooseheart Hospital, Mooseheart, IL and head of the Medical Department at Bell & Howell Company, Lincolnwood, IL. She retired in 1974.

Viola met Fred Werdebaugh at Mooseheart and they were married April 30, 1955. Fred died in 1975. In 1984, Viola returned to Alcester where she has continued to live. She has been active in numerous community groups including her church quilting and circle groups, RLD study club, Union County Historical Society and Senior Citizens. Viola also researched extensive information about her immigrant Norwegian grandparents and their descendents for a family publication. She enjoyed travel and visited Norway, Alaska, Hawaii, the Maritime Provinces, Australia and New Zealand. Staying connected with her extended family and many friends was always a priority.

Viola is survived by her nephew, Roger Herbrandson (Patti) of Allen, TX; four nieces, Marjory Thorstenson (Verne) of Rapid City, SD, Beverly Behrens (Ralph) of Forest Lake, IL, Sally Sabo of Sun City, AZ and Deborah Russell (Kirk) f Fort Dodge, IA; 15 grandnephews and nieces and 17 great-grandnephews and nieces. Her husband; parents; three brothers, Elmer, Lester and Clarence; sister, Iona Twedt; and niece, Norma Twedt Cornelius preceded her in death.