Violet Ressler

Violet Maye Ressler, 89, Mandan, passed away September 19, 2018 at Missouri Slope Lutheran Care Center.

A funeral service will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 25, 2018 at Weigel Funeral Home, Mandan, ND with Rev. Christina Martin officiating. Burial will be held at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Monday, September 24, 2018 at Weigel Funeral Home, Mandan with a prayer service at 5:00 pm. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at Weigel Funeral Home on Tuesday.

Violet was born May 30, 1929 to William and Katherine (Schleining) Pulkrabek in Mandan, she was raised on the family farm SW of town.  Violet attended Highland Country School.  Growing up on the farm she worked alongside her father and brothers.  At 18 years old, she moved in with a girlfriend in Mandan and worked at Ben Franklin.  While walking to and from work, she did not know the man she would spend the next 70 years with had his eye on her.  They were introduced by her roommate at a restaurant in Mandan.

On May 1, 1948, Violet and Edward Ressler were united in marriage at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Mandan.  Both were employed at Mandan Beverage where she worked in the candy department.  Together, they raised four children.

Violet was a gifted homemaker with many talents.  Some of her hobbies she enjoyed were being a seamstress, a cook, a baker, and a gardener who canned the fruits of her labor.  Music was an important part of her life.  She was blessed with the gift to sit down to a piano or organ, or pick up an accordion or harmonica and play a tune that was requested; and if she didn’t know the song, she would ask the person to hum it and she could play it.  Her sense of humor was addicting.  Being a strong woman, she continued helping with field work after her brother took over the family farm, during the summer while her children grew.

One of her biggest joys were her grandchildren who she loved and cared for as if they were her own.   “Grandma Vi” was their biggest fan as she followed every sporting event they participated in.  Violet had the gift to “gab”, including having long conversations with anyone who called the wrong number.

Violet is survived by her devoted and loving husband of 70 years, Edward, Mandan; sons, Darrel, Hettinger and Darby, Mandan; daughters, Karen (Mark) Pantaleone, Grassy Butte; Benji (Peter) Lillestol, Bismarck; three grandsons, Shane Dockter, Ian Easton (Sarah Elmer), Tony Anderson; one granddaughter, Andrea Feldman; 4 great-grandsons, Damon, Darion, Drayden, and Drayce Dockter; two great-great-grandsons; and many nieces and nephews.  Also, special friends, Rose Haugen, Anna Lee Kopp and Helen Singer.

She is preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Donald and Ronald; and sister, Virginia Schwartz.

The family would like to thank Dr. Tony Tello and Tara Curtis Haberlock for their many years of loving care.  A special thank you to the staff of Marion Manor (Glen Ullin) and Missouri Slope Lutheran Care Center (Bismarck) for their kindness, patience and devotion in caring for her.