Viola Mae (Rust) BAIRD

BAIRD, RUST, SANDREY, SWANSON, LUND, HANSEN, GURLEY

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 1/26/2008 at 10:55:49

DeWitt, Iowa -- Mrs. Viola M. Baird, DeWitt, Iowa, died Friday morning, September 19, 2003, at Westwing Place, DeWitt. Mrs. Baird, the former Viola Mae Rust was born February 23, 1908, in Goodell, Iowa, to John and Marion (Sandrey) Rust. She graduated from Belmond High School, received a bachelors degree from Iowa Teacher's College, and later a bachelors degree from the University of Iowa. Viola taught school for several years prior to her marriage. She married Nathaniel "Nat" Baird on June 26, 1930, at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. Nat preceded Viola in death on October 10, 1987. She was a faithful and active member of the First Congregational United Church of Christ, DeWitt, serving as organist for over 50 years. Viola was a 50-year member of the Eastern Star, a member of PEO since 1948, an honorary member of the DeWitt Community Hospital Auxillary, and was a member of the DeWitt Historical Society. She also played organ often for the Westwing Place Worship Services. Viola greatly enjoyed her family and music.

Surviving are a daughter, Marian Swanson and her husband, Robert, DeWitt; a son, Nathaniel Baird and his wife, Shari, Atlanta, Georgia; grandchildren, Rick (Julie) Hansen, Beth Baird, Andrew Baird, and Chanda Swanson; great-grandchildren, Jennifer, Jessica, Lauren and Timothy Hansen and Taylor Gurley. In addition to her husband, Nat, Viola, was preceded in death by her parents, a sister, Edna Lund and a son-in-law, Jim Hansen.

Family and friends may visit at Schultz Funeral Home, DeWitt, from 2 until 6 p.m. today. Funeral Service 11 a.m. Monday, September 22, 2003, at First Congregational United Church of Christ, DeWitt. The Rev. Ginger Taylor officiating. Interment at Elmwood Cemetery, DeWitt. The family suggests memorials to Amber Ridge, First Congregational United Church of Christ, DeWitt Library or Dewitt Community Hospital. Pallbearers will be Rick Hansen, Bob Hansen, Bill Ketelsen, Seth Ketelsen, Baird Smith and Chuck Morel. Honorary pallbearers will be Bill Hormrighausen, John Galitz, Howard Ehrler and Don Smith.