Viola Marie England

Viola Marie England, 72, of Havre, passed away July 7, 2013, due to cancer. 

There will be a public viewing at Holland & Bonine Funeral Home from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, July 11, 2013, with wake services from 7 p.m. Thursday to 7 a.m. Friday at 504 5th Street in Havre. 

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday July 12, 2013, at St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church, with burial following at Highland Cemetery.  The family has requested that memorials be made in Viola’s name to Gift of Life Housing, P.O. Box 7008, Great Falls, MT 59405 or St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic School. 

Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements. Condolences/memories may be left at http://www.hollandbonine.com.

Viola was born on Aug, 21, 1940, in Havre to Gilbert and Flora (Belgarde) Berger. She was raised and educated in Havre.  On Dec. 21, 1958, Viola married Jim England in Havre, and their marriage was blessed with three children. They later divorced.

Viola was a loyal Kmart employee for many years. She was loved and adored by her customers and co-workers because of her friendly, cheerful attitude. She worked hard and was always willing to go above and beyond what was expected of her.

Viola loved gardening, baking, playing cards and games, and watching old movies and mysteries. She was a go-getter who was positive and energetic; no matter the situation she could always find a silver lining. She was a member of the Red Hat Society and volunteered at the soup kitchen and numerous church events. A pillar of support for her family, she cared for and encouraged her siblings, children and grandchildren. Her grandchildren were her life and she attended all of their activities.

Viola is preceded in death by her parents, Gilbert and Flora (Belgarde) Berger; sister, Carol Ann St. Marks; brothers, James Berger Sr. and Richard Berger; and nephews, Thomas Berger and Charles Berger Jr.

She is survived by her daughters, Suzanne (Barry) Kato of Havre, and Sherry (Jon) Raap of Bristol, S.D .; her son, William England of Billings; her grandchildren, Dustin( Sara) Koepke, Alysia (Titus) Pedraza, Sara Raap, Brandon England, Natalie Kato, Kayla Raap, Kameron England, Bryson England, Jase Kato and Emily Raap; one great-grandchild, Isaac “Zach” Pedraza; sisters, Evelyn Cochran of Billings, and Debra Stark of Havre; and brothers, Charles Berger and  Thomas Berger both of Great Falls, and Stewart Berger of Bellingham, Wash.