Violet L. Nilson, 87, Maddock, ND, died Wednesday, February 13, 2013 at Essentia Health in Fargo, ND.  Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday, February 18, 2013,  11:00 AM at St. William's Catholic Church in Maddock, with Fr. Brian Bachmeier, celebrant.  Burial will be later this spring in Greenwood Cemetery, rural Maddock.  Visitation will be Sunday from 4 to 6:30 PM followed by a Rosary at 6:30 and a Vigil Service at 7:00 PM all in the church. Casket bearers will be her grandchildren.  Honorary bearers will be the members of the St. William's Catholic Church Christian Mothers and the Maddock 55 Club.  Music will be from Melissa Benson,  Shelby Brandvold and Becky Brandvold.

Violet L. Martian was born September 22, 1925 rural  Esmond, ND, to Anton and Anne (Hoffner) Martian.  She was baptized at the Odessa Catholic Church.  Violet attended North Fork rural grade school and graduated from the Esmond High School.  Violet attended Minot  Teachers College, receiving the Standard Teaching Certificate, and taught at the Arne Township and East Fork Township Schools.  On November 4, 1946 Violet and Mandy Nilson were married at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Esmond.  They farmed in Arne Township until July of 1980 when they moved into Maddock. She worked a number of years at the Grill in Maddock.  Mandy Nilson passed away February 28, 1997.

A devout Catholic, Violet was a member of St. William's Catholic Church, Christian Mothers and Altar Society in Maddock.  She was a member and past president of the Maddock 55 Club,  volunteered at Senior Meals and the Wore Before Store and a member of the Arne Homemakers Club.  Violet also served on the Maddock Park Board for a number of years.  She enjoyed sewing,  quilting,  all gardening,  baking,  music, dancing and playing pinochle.  Above all, she dearly loved her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Surviving are her children:  Deb (Pat) Feist of  Tacoma, WA,  Corlyce (Troy) Wallner of Fargo,  Gary (Carol Becker) Nilson of Maddock,  Michael (Susan) Nilson of West Fargo, ND,  Mary Ann  Stael von Holstein of Moorhead, MN,  Lynn (Ellen) Nilson of Fargo, ND,  and Darren Nilson of Phoenix, AZ;  grandchildren:  Robyn Triebold (Matt) Lempner,  Laura Triebold (Creighton)  Laughary,  Mckensie Wallner,  Christopher Nilson,  Kallista Nilson,  Chloe Nilson,    Alex Stael von Holstein and his fiance, Shelly Atchison,  Christina Stael von Holstein,  Hannah Stael von Holstein,  Dan Goerger & fiancé Heather McElroy, Brandon Nilson and Ryan Nilson;  great grandchildren:  Elliott Lempner, Parker Lempner,  Micah Laughary and Leyvie Laughary;  siblings:  Kay Burgard of Franklin, WI,  Jane (Louis) Gerlach of Enumclaw, WA,  Alice Wack of Esmond, ND,  Betty (Gene) Wentz of Des Moines, WA,  Tony (Bernie) Martian of Helena, MT,  Thomas (Barb) Martian of Yuma, AZ and Adella Feil of Lewiston MT;  sisters-in-law:  Kathy Martian of Towner, ND,  Margaret Martian of Rocklin, CA and Betty Martian of Grand Forks, ND.

Violet was preceded in death by her husband;  infant daughter:  Sheryl;  brothers:  Frank Martian,  Edmond Martian,  Nick Martian and Raymond Martian;  sisters:  Anne Skrede and  Emma Garman.



Condolences:

My thoughts and prayer for the family of Vi. She was such a wonderful lady. May God wrap his arms around you all during this difficult time. She will be missed by so many people in Maddock and also at the church.    Christine Villarreal



Dear Michael & Sue and family, We are so sorry to hear about the loss of your mom, Vi. We know only too well how difficult this is for your family. We are thinking of you.  Garry and Carol Roth and Family



Our sincere sympathy to the family, our prayers & thoughts are with you, even if we can't be there.  Roger & Lorraine Sabbe



Many prayers and condolences to your family at the loss of this amazing lady.  St. Faustina pray for us.  Jesus I trust in you.  Cory Arends



Marlys and Odin Fossen send their thoughts and prayers to your families and friends at this time.  They very much wish they could attend the vigil and service for Violet, but their health may not allow they to go.  Violet was a very, very special friend who will be lovingly remembered and missed.  God's blessings be with all of you!



My sincere sympathy to the Nilson Family. Vi was a caring and kind friend to my Mom. Blessings to you at this difficult time.    Debbie Sundet Bates   My thoughts and prayers are with the family today.  Wish I could have been there, but I'm sending hugs to all of you.  She was such a special lady and I am so glad that I got the opportunity to visit with her when I was back to Maddock last October.  She will be missed.  Colleen (Sorlie) Erickson



Our deepest sympathy in the loss of a wonderful lady, who touched so many lives. We had hoped to attend the celebration of her life, unfortunately the storm is keeping us inside. Please know our thoughts and prayers are with you the family and the many friends Vi had from varying walks of life. Edward & Karen Woyen



Dearest family of Vi Nilson our sympathy & prayers to each of you. I was so very sad to hear from my Daughter Cathy of Violets passing. I will be so lonesome for her this summer when  Laurie  & I will be in Maddock But I will thank god for the privilege I had to know her& have her for a friend Blessed be our memory of Violet.  Ruth & Laurie Anderson