Viola Davidson

Viola Davidson, 93, of Havre, died at Northern Montana Care Center, Jan. 19, 2011.

She was born Sept. 24, 1917, in Rudyard, Mont., one of six children born to Joseph and Edith Mary (Slaymaker) Simon. She attended school in Hingham, Mont., graduating in 1936. She met Noel R. Davidson, and they were married Nov. 3, 1941, in Wibaux, Mont., where Viola said "I DO, " and Noel mentioned at the time of her death, that she did. They made their home in Havre, Mont., at first. To this union four children were born, Millie, Noel, Marie and Joe. "Momma and I are very proud of our kid crop. "

Although Noel and Viola moved around the country in their early married life, their hearts remained in Havre. They lived in Oregon, Idaho, Washington, Canada and ended up for a time in Los Alamos, N.M, where Noel worked for a time in heavy equipment maintenance. They returned to Havre in the winter of 1947 in 25-below-zero temperatures with a rocking chair, a mirror and a cedar chest.

Noel and Viola were very active members of the Havre community. Noel was instrumental in the development of the Highland Park subdivision area of town, building homes, rebuilding and remodeling along the way. Viola was an interior decorator to Noel's building.

Viola was a dedicated homemaker and mother and was a den mother of the second largest Cub Scout den in the United States. These troops, under Viola's direction, were responsible for planting the ash trees in College Park.

She loved to bowl and did so for more than 40 years. She was an avid baseball enthusiast, cheering on the Atlanta Braves, and was an accomplished artist of oil painting, teaching art to others. She loved to play baseball, and will be remembered for her cooking.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her sisters, Clara, Dorothy and Gladys; and her brothers, John and Joe. She also preceded in death by her her son-in-law, Bill Schoenfeldt; and her daughter, Millie Sgrignol, both in 2009.

She is survived by her loving devoted husband of 69 years, Noel R. Davidson of Havre; her son, Noel Q. (Pam) Davidson of Big Sandy; daughter, Marie Schoenfeldt of Spokane; son, Joseph Davidson (Beth) of Havre; her son-in-law, John Sgrignoli of Miles City; nine grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

Memorial services will be conducted at 10 a. m. Saturday, at Van Orsdale United Methodist Church, with Pastor Cleve McSwain presiding. Burial will take place in the Montana Veterans Cemetery in Fort Harrison, Mont., at a later date.

Memorials may be made in Viola's name to Hospice of Havre, Van Orsdale United Methodist Church of Havre or to Shriners Hospital for Children.

Viola Davidson, 93, of Havre, died at Northern Montana Care Center, Jan. 19, 2011.

She was born Sept. 24, 1917, in Rudyard, Mont., one of six children born to Joseph and Edith Mary (Slaymaker) Simon. She attended school in Hingham, Mont., graduating in 1936. She met Noel R. Davidson, and they were married Nov. 3, 1941, in Wibaux, Mont., where Viola said "I DO, " and Noel mentioned at the time of her death, that she did. They made their home in Havre, Mont., at first. To this union four children were born, Millie, Noel, Marie and Joe. "Momma and I are very proud of our kid crop. "

Although Noel and Viola moved around the country in their early married life, their hearts remained in Havre. They lived in Oregon, Idaho, Washington, Canada and ended up for a time in Los Alamos, N.M, where Noel worked for a time in heavy equipment maintenance. They returned to Havre in the winter of 1947 in 25-below-zero temperatures with a rocking chair, a mirror and a cedar chest.

Noel and Viola were very active members of the Havre community. Noel was instrumental in the development of the Highland Park subdivision area of town, building homes, rebuilding and remodeling along the way. Viola was an interior decorator to Noel's building.

Viola was a dedicated homemaker and mother and was a den mother of the second largest Cub Scout den in the United States. These troops, under Viola's direction, were responsible for planting the ash trees in College Park.

She loved to bowl and did so for more than 40 years. She was an avid baseball enthusiast, cheering on the Atlanta Braves, and was an accomplished artist of oil painting, teaching art to others. She loved to play baseball, and will be remembered for her cooking.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her sisters, Clara, Dorothy and Gladys; and her brothers, John and Joe. She also preceded in death by her her son-in-law, Bill Schoenfeldt; and her daughter, Millie Sgrignol, both in 2009.

She is survived by her loving devoted husband of 69 years, Noel R. Davidson of Havre; her son, Noel Q. (Pam) Davidson of Big Sandy; daughter, Marie Schoenfeldt of Spokane; son, Joseph Davidson (Beth) of Havre; her son-in-law, John Sgrignoli of Miles City; nine grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

Memorial services will be conducted at 10 a. m. Saturday, at Van Orsdale United Methodist Church, with Pastor Cleve McSwain presiding. Burial will take place in the Montana Veterans Cemetery in Fort Harrison, Mont., at a later date.

Memorials may be made in Viola's name to Hospice of Havre, Van Orsdale United Methodist Church of Havre or to Shriners Hospital for Children.