Viola Lois Hilger-Nelson, 92, of Helena, passed the morning of February 25, 2016, due to natural causes.
Viola, or as most knew her, Vi was born to Joseph Hilger and Carrie Sperry-Hilger August 31, 1923. She was a hardworking and loving woman. She shared her life and all its adventures with her beloved husband Harold Nelson who passed November 18, 2001. Vi always spoke fondly of Harold, reminiscing about their times together and what a hard working devoted husband he was. They lived together on their ranch in Austin where they raised their horses, before moving back to Helena where they spent the rest of their lives together. Vi was always grateful for the many friends who helped her along the way after Harold’s passing, including Trent and Nola Synness, Beth Stanfill and her daughter Donna Stanfill, Mike Johnson, Esther Gunlock, Lynda Haffner and Orval and Dee Riley.
Vi shared many childhood stories of her time with her aunt Fannie Sperry Steele and her many siblings. Vi was very proud when Fannie was elected into the Rodeo Hall of Fame. As Vi grew so did her love of the Appaloosa horse, along with her love for all animals; she never missed a chance to teach someone else throughout the years. Vi took special pride in sharing her knowledge of horses and she had a glow about her as she spoke of how to handle a horse, how to teach it, almost always leading into stories of her past.
Vi took pride in her family and those she loved and told their stories to anyone with an open ear. Vi cooked for various restaurants across Helena, leaving such an impact that, in more recent years Vi was greeted by the owners who remembered her well.
Vi was a devoted member of the Jehovah Witnesses and enjoyed listening to services every Sunday morning.
Vi is survived by her step-son John (Cathy) Nelson of Arizona; brother in-law Walter (Blackie) and Isabel Nelson of Helena and their children, Mike, Larry, Ken and Tari; Nephews, David (Peggy) Lake of Missoula, Edward (Debora) Sperry of Alaska, Jim Krieger of Portland Oregon, Dorothy Lake of Clancy and many cousins, and great nephews and nieces. Although Vi was not a grandmother by blood, she leaves behind three small young men who loved her dearly and called her Grandma Vi – Kail, Noah and Josiah. She is preceded in death by her parents Joseph and Carrie Hilger, brothers Matt, William, Nicholas, George, and Charles Hilger, sisters Florence Hilger-Lake Beatrice K. Krieger, Elizabeth Hilger, Ema Dorothy Hilger, Hallie Alexander and nephew George Lake, and niece Eileen Clark.
Visitation hours will be 12 – 5 p.m., Thursday, March 3rd at Retz funeral Home, 315 E. 6th Avenue. A funeral service will be 10 a.m., Friday, March 4th at Retz Funeral Home, with the burial to immediately follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens, 7100 N. Montana Avenue. A reception will follow the burial in the Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home Reception Hall, 3750 N. Montana Avenue. Should friends desire, memorial contributions may be sent to Lewis & Clark Humane Society, P.O. Box 4455, Helena, MT 59604. Please visit below to share a memory of Vi or to offer the family a condolence.
Viola Nelson is loved by many and will be terribly missed…
The Nelson family would like to extend our deepest appreciation to Beth Stanfill for the love, care and companionship she has given to Vi over the past eight years. Beth shared her love and her family with Vi, and gave her security as she aged. Thank you, Beth.
Service Schedule
Visitation
12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Thursday March 3, 2016
Retz Funeral Home
315 E. 6th Avenue
Helena , Montana 59601
Funeral Service
10:00 a.m.
Friday February 5, 2016
Retz Funeral Home
315 E. 6th Avenue
Helena , Montana 59601
Graveside Service
Following the service
Friday February 5, 2016
Sunset Memorial Gardens
7100 N. Montana Avenue
Helena , Montana 59602
Reception
Following the burial
Friday February 5, 2016
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Reception Hall
3750 N. Montana Avenue
Helena , Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Visitation
12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Thursday March 3, 2016
Retz Funeral Home
315 E. 6th Avenue
Helena , Montana 59601
Funeral Service
10:00 a.m.
Friday February 5, 2016
Retz Funeral Home
315 E. 6th Avenue
Helena , Montana 59601
Graveside Service
Following the service
Friday February 5, 2016
Sunset Memorial Gardens
7100 N. Montana Avenue
Helena , Montana 59602
Reception
Following the burial
Friday February 5, 2016
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Reception Hall
3750 N. Montana Avenue
Helena , Montana 59602
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Kathy Nelson says
Vi was a loving caring person. she spent endless hours taking care of her beloved family and friends and had heart felt love for all animals. She will be missed by all who knew her
Mary (Vashro) Lamb says
I have known Vi, ever since she and Harold moved
to Austin. She and my mother, Joyce Vashro, became very good friends, as well as my developmentally disabled brother, Danny. Vi always had a cookie for Dan, and was so kind and accepting of him. He always asks about Vi, to this day. We will all miss Vi, but have wonderful memories. Some of my favorites was spending time with Fanny, when Vi and I would visit her at the Cooney Home. I loved to just listen to the two of them talk and remember the old times. Vi was a very special lady, who left her mark on many hearts, and although I didn’t get to see her that much, she has always been on my mind and I feel honored to have been her friend. I am so happy that Vi is once again with all of the family she loved so much.