Violet Gertrude (Lutz) MEECE KALLEM

KALLEM, LUTZ, MCCRAY, COWMAN, MEECE

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 3/15/2008 at 13:52:50

Violet Gertrude Kallem, 88, of the Rotary Ann Home in Eagle Grove, went to be with the Lord June 18, 2007. She had been suffering from congestive heart failure the past several months.

Violet, called Vi” by most people (also known to her childhood friends as “Dolly”), was born February 13, 1919 to William and Gertrude (McCray) Lutz on a farm outside of Woolstock, Iowa. She graduated from Eagle Grove High School in 1937 and attended the University of Iowa briefly before enlisting in the U.S. Army as one of the first WAACs in 1943; she was honorably discharged in 1945. Following her Army service, she attended cosmetology school in Fort Dodge and operated beauty shops in Bode, Williams, Woolstock and Eagle Grove. She ran “Vi’s Beauty Shop” on Broadway in Eagle Grove for over 20 years. Vi was well known for her creative knitting, crocheting and needlework. She also had a “green thumb” and grew a wide variety of plants and flowers.
Vi was an avid reader and especially enjoyed studying the Bible. She became a Christian while attending a home Bible study and was an enthusiastic host of various Bible study groups over the years.

She was married briefly while in the Army. In 1957, she married Robert “Bob” Kallem and for many years, while they were members of the United Methodist Church in Eagle Grove, they participated in Lay Witness Missions throughout Iowa. In the 1970s they united with the Assembly of God Church in Eagle Grove, where they continued serving the Lord. Following retirement, they became annual “snow-birds”, spending winters in Florida, Texas and California. Bob passed away in 1999.

She is survived by her son: Ronald and his wife, Zelda of Pleasant Hill, IA; two grandchildren: Dawn (Rick) Cowman of Monroe, IA and Scott (Stacey) Kallem of Marion, IL. She was affectionately known as “B-Mama” to her 7 great-grandchildren: Rachel, Jacob, Carissa and Elizabeth Cowman and Shelby, Sydney and Seth Kallem. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, and three brothers, Clifford, Delbert and Allen Lutz.

Her friendly demeanor, affectionate smile and winning attitude will be missed by all who knew her. Her legacy of faith in Jesus, service to others, adventurous spirit, perseverance and generosity will live on in her family members who “rise up, praise her and call her blessed” (Proverbs 31:28)

Memorial gifts can be given in her name to Wright County Hospice in Clarion or First Assembly of God Church in Eagle Grove.

http://www.funeralplan.com/foustfh/archive?id=100568

****
[first husband was Ralph Meece]