Viola Bromen

Viola M. Bromen, age 89 of Sauk Centre, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 16, 2016 at Fairway Pines in Sauk Centre, Minnesota.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, August 22 at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Sauk Centre with Rev. Greg Paffel officiating and Rev. Richard Gans, Rev. Thomas Mboya, and Rev. Andrew Marthaler concelebrating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery.

Visitation will be from 8:30 to 10 a.m. Monday at the St. Paul's Catholic Church in Sauk Centre.

Viola Marie Gans was born March 13, 1927 in West Union, Minnesota to Joseph and Lidwina (Bentfield) Gans. She graduated from high school in 1945. Viola then worked as a teller at Merchants National Bank in Sauk Centre. She married Vernon Bromen on September 27, 1948 at St. Alexius Catholic Church in West Union. Viola and Vernon were married for 58 years. She loved to make quilts, garden, and play bridge. She had a passion for music and dancing, and especially loved playing the piano, a talent she passed on to her children. Viola loved her family more than anything else and cherished every moment that was spent with them.

Viola was a member of St. Paul's Catholic Church, Christian Mothers, and Daughters of Isabella. She also volunteered at the church quite often.

Survivors include her children, Jeanne (Steve) Drewes of Blaine, Mary (Pat) Miller of Sartell, and, Thomas Bromen of Sauk Centre; six grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren; brother, Fr. Richard Gans "Norbert" of Rancagua, Chile; sister-in-law, Mildred Gans; and many nieces and nephews.

Viola was preceded in death by her husband, Vernon Bromen on April 26, 2007; daughter, Linda Narveson; sister, Gertrude Krebsbach; and brother, Roger Gans.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Fairway Pines Memory Care Unit Piano Fund.

A special thanks to the caring and compassionate staff at Fairway Pines where Viola resided for almost six years. Thanks also to the St. Croix Hospice who provided comfort and support during the final weeks.

Mass participants include: Ben Drewes presenting Words of Remembrance; Alison Hawkinson and Megan Maher as the scripture readers; and Tony Bromen prayed the petitions for the mass. Special communion music was sang by Thomas Bromen as he accompanied himself on the piano. Casket bearers included: Ben Drewes, Tony Bromen, Tim Maher, Paul Hawkinson, and Evan Christianson.