Violet Irene Mack

Violet Irene Mack, age 89, a lifetime Ponsford Prairie area resident, peacefully entered eternity on Wednesday, January 6, 2016 at the Sanford Medical Center in Fargo, ND surrounded by her family. Vi was born on December 23, 1926 in Hawley, MN to John and Emma (Lundstrom) Molander. At the age of three, she moved with her family to a farm on the Ponsford Prairie west of Park Rapids, MN where she attended the Round Lake Country School near her home until 7th grade. She then went on to attend public school in Frazee for one year. On October 23, 1946, she was united in marriage to Joseph Henry Mack at the St. Theodores Catholic Church Parsonage near Ponsford. Their union was blessed with seven children: Joan, Tom, John, Julie, Jeanne, Lori and Bob. The young couple purchased a farm on the prairie and started dairy farming. Vi worked right alongside her husband in transforming the rugged land into a fertile farm and in caring for a fine herd of Holstein cattle. In the mid-1970’s, they sold their dairy herd and began raising beef cattle. In addition, Vi devoted herself to making a warm and loving home for her husband and children and worked full time at the Wonewok-3M Retreat Center north of Park Rapids for many years until her retirement. Never to sit idle, Vi will be long remembered for the beautiful quilts she made for her family and friends. She also enjoyed crocheting beautiful table cloths that her loved ones will cherish for many years. Each summer she looked forward to canning hundreds of quarts of produce from her garden. Vi loved to play cards and games with her family and friends and enjoyed organizing card playing parties and entertaining. She always kept her door open to cherished visits from family, friends and especially her grandchildren for an afternoon or the entire week. Vi will be lovingly remembered by her seven children: Joan (Al) Bendson of Motley, MN, Thomas (Elaine) Mack and John (Linda) Mack all of Detroit Lakes, MN, Julie (Greg) Sitz of Park Rapids, Jeanne (Larry Jiggs) Tretbar of Ponsford, Lori (Steve) Eix of Benson, MN and Robert Mack of Osage, MN; a special nephew, Charlie (Laurie) Jordan of Osage, MN; 18 grandchildren and 34 great-grandchildren; two brothers: Vic (Delores) Molander of Vancouver, WA and Howard (Anita) Molander of Detroit Lakes, MN; three sisters: Darl Weddle of Willis, TX, Marion Pope of Helena, MT and Norma Soderquist of Blaine, MN; three sisters-in-law: Mildred Bloomquist, Mary Mack and Sharon Molander and one brother-in-law, Jim (Irene) Mack. As well as numerous nieces, nephews other relatives and many friends. Vi was preceded in death by her husband in 2012; her parents; her brother, Russell; her great granddaughter, Hope Brown; eight brothers-in-law: Al Pope, Virgil Soderquist, Al Weddle, Bill Magnuson, Ray Veronen, Roy Bloomquist, Thomas Mack and Sam Mack; and three sisters-in-law: Esther Magnuson, Arlene Veronen and Darlene Mack. Funeral services will be held 11 AM Wednesday, January 13, 2016 at St. Peters Catholic Church with Father Thomas Friedl officiating. The Church Bell Choir will lead the music. The active casket bearers will be her grandsons. The honorary casket bearers will be her granddaughters. Interment will be made in the Mack family plot at the Linnell Cemetery near Ponsford next to her husband, Joe. A luncheon will be hosted by the church following the funeral service. Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 PM Tuesday, January 12, 2016 at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids with a prayer service to be held at 7 PM and will continue at the church on Wednesday beginning one hour prior to the service. To leave on line condolences please visit www.jones-pearson.com