Minneapolis: Services for Viola "Vi" Helen Bray, 94, of Minneapolis and formerly of Aberdeen, will be 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, 2013, at Spitzer-Miller Funeral Home, 1111 S. Main St., in Aberdeen, with Pastor Tom Haggar officiating.
Burial will be at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Aberdeen.
Viola died Monday, Sept. 2, 2013, at Johanna Shores of Arden Hills.
Visitation will be held at 9 a.m. to the time of service at the funeral home.
Viola Helen Purdy was born Aug. 22, 1919, to Lee S. and Lovina (Dosch) Purdy in Britton.
As a child, she moved with her family to Aberdeen, where she graduated from Central High School in 1937. Following graduation, she worked at the Brown County Public Welfare Office until her marriage to Wilbert Bray of Langford on June 20, 1939, in Aberdeen. They lived in Langford for a short time before moving to Aberdeen. In 1942, they moved to Cheyenne, Wyo., returning to Aberdeen in 1948. In 1959, Vi went to work for Dr. D.J. Carrels as a receptionist bookkeeper. In 1962, she became a receptionist bookkeeper for Dr. D.J. Carrels and Dr. W.B. Bauer, retiring in 1981.
Viola was a member of Faith United Methodist Church and United Methodist Church Women. She was active in the church, serving as past Youth Fellowship president, Sunday school secretary, Sunday school teacher, Vacation Bible School teacher, steward, secretary of the Council of Administration, church financial secretary, treasurer of Faith United Methodist Women and secretary and treasurer of her circles and served on various committees. She was a member of Aberdeen Senior Citizens and the R.S.V.P. She volunteered at St. Luke's Hospital and other places in the community. Viola dearly loved her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was known for her friendly smile. Viola enjoyed traveling, jigsaw puzzles, reading, visiting family and friends.
We would like to thank Johanna Shores for their care and compassion.
Grateful for having shared Vi's life are her two sons: Kenneth (Janeva) Bray and Dale (Lilly) Bray; four grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Wilbert Bray; parents, Lee and Lovina Purdy; and two sisters.
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