Viola Bertha Gottschalk was born November 13, 1923, to John and Margaret (Kramer) Johnston near Erie, Colorado. As a child, she attended country school near her home through the eighth grade. She completed requirements for a high school diploma as an adult many years later after raising her family.
On Oct. 8, 1950, she married Benjamin E. Gottschalk in Longmont, Colorado. The couple moved to the Gottschalk family farm in Dundy County, Nebraska, to begin her life as a devoted farm wife, mother of four daughters, and homemaker. She spent much of her time raising her daughters; she loved being a mother. She also enjoyed sewing, cooking, crocheting, and quilting.
Viola passed away Sunday evening, December 6th, 2020, at the Sarah Ann Hester Memorial Home in Benkelman, Nebraska. She was 97 years of age.
Viola was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 51 years, Ben Gottschalk, her daughter, Norma Jean, three sisters; Esther, Marie, and Lorena, and four brothers; Arthur, Will, Herman, and Henry.
Survivors include three daughters, Barbara Gottschalk and husband, Cemil Ulus of Blowing Rock, NC, Kathleen Andrews and husband, Tom of Morganton, NC, and Janet Gottschalk of Plano, TX, as well as three grandsons, Ben Andrews of Dallas, TX, Jake Andrews of Asheville, NC, and Levi Andrews of Des Moines, IA.
Services are pending at this time.
Memorials may be given in her name to Sarah Ann Hester Memorial Home of Benkelman, NE or McCook Humane Society.