Violet Irene Pauline Kolander Kaisershot
Violet Irene Pauline Kolander Kaisershot, age 98, of Cleveland, passed away peacefully at home with family by her side on Monday, November 18th, 2024.
Visitation will be held at the Le Center/Schoenbauer Funeral Home on Monday, November 25th, from 4:00 – 7:00 PM. There will also be a visitation an hour before the funeral service which will be at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Le Center at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, November 26th. A luncheon will be served at the Little Dandy immediately afterwards; burial to follow at the German Lake Cemetery.
Violet was born on September 2nd, 1926, in Mankato, to Wilhelm Frederick and Anna Marie (Schmidt) Kolander. She was baptized that same year at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church of German Lake near Elysian and confirmed on May 7th, 1939, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Le Center. She was raised on a farm not far from the German Lake Church and went to school in Le Center. Violet and her older sister, Dorothy, lived in town with their grandparents during the school year until their parents left the farm and moved into Le Center, too.
On August 10th, 1943, Violet married Sgt. Anton “Tony” G. Kaisershot of Camp Sibert, at Gadsden, Alabama. She returned to Le Center to live with her family when Tony was deployed overseas with the 64th Chemical Depot to see action on Omaha Beach and in the Battle of the Bulge. Violet was immediately recruited to join the local VFW Auxiliary where she was very active until her recent health issues slowed participation. She served in many leadership positions and committees over the years; worked at Pillow Puff and sold poppies to name just a few of the service projects. Vi faithfully supported Post 1803 right up to the annual membership dinner held on October 27th, 2024, where she was honored for having achieved a very rare 80 years of membership.
Violet was also a dedicated volunteer with the American Red Cross, the American Heart Association, the March of Dimes, and assisted with local blood drives. At last count, donating 18 gallons of blood over her lifetime. She was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church where she notably donated her time to activities of the women’s group. She worked with Tony in many endeavors throughout the years, most memorable was being his bookkeeper at GTA Elevator in Le Center. She also had been employed as an Enumerator for the 1950 Census and as a dental assistant to Dr. Edson Gish. She also worked in the Order Department at Spors Company and the laboratory at Green Giant Company in Le Sueur.
In her earlier years, Violet enjoyed team bowling and had the opportunity to compete on television. Music always played a big part in her life as she was accomplished on piano, organ, and accordion. Tony and Vi loved to dance, especially to old-time music, and continued to regularly follow their favorite bands, like Leon Olsen, right up until Tony’s unfortunate death in 2012; the year that they celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary. She relished gardening and took great pleasure tending to her flowers and houseplants, fed and watched birds; was a collector of antiques, an avid reader, and enjoyed doing all types of needlework projects.
After early retirement in 1983, Violet and Tony traveled extensively, visiting most of the 50 states and numerous foreign countries. They spent over 20 winters in Lake Havasu City, AZ. In recent years, Violet faced challenges but remained determined to stay in her beloved home on Lake Jefferson. However, for about a year, she had been staying with daughter and son-in-law, Susan and James Soulek in Le Center.
Vi was a devoted listener of KCHK Radio, where she kept up with the latest news, obituaries, enjoyed listening to old-time music and the Trading Post. She recently sold her van through the Trading Post. Her daily routine was a comforting blend of familiar favorites, including KCHK Radio, Judge Judy, Wheel of Fortune, and the Nightly News with Lester Holt. She also had a standing appointment on Saturday mornings with Bandwagon.
She is survived by daughters; Julia Ann (and David) Agard of Kearney, NE, Marion (and Dan) Doheny of Savage, Susan (and James) Soulek of Le Center and Toni Ellen Coffey of SaddleBrooke, AZ; grandchildren Abby Green, Barry Agard, Debbie Volkenant, Anne Osentowski, and Jaime Harmon; step-grandchildren, Joshua and Jesse Doheny; twelve great-grandchildren and seven step great-grandchildren; one great-great granddaughter; and a soon-to-arrive great-great grandson; as well as nieces and nephews.
Violet is preceded in death by her husband, Tony; son-in-law Vincent Coffey; nephew David Washa; and two sisters, Dorothy Holicky and Arlene Washa.
Violet was a wonderful mother, three-generation grandmother, and friend who will be missed dearly by all who knew her.
Arrangements are with the Le Center Funeral Home. 507-357-6116. On-line condolences may be left at www.lecenterfuneralhome.com.
