Viola Catherine Sparrow

   Viola Catherine Sparrow, 94, of Mayville, ND, died Monday, June 4, 2018 at the Luther Memorial Home in Mayville, ND.    Viola was born October 14, 1923 in Two Inlets, MN, currently Park Rapids, MN, to Albert and Jenny (Vigesaa) Schmitz. At a very young age, Viola moved with her parents and an older sister, Fern, to a small farm South of Cooperstown, ND. The family moved to Hope, ND and Viola attended a rural school and graduated from High School in Hope. Viola was active in high school. She played basketball, ran in track and was in plays and musicals. Viola attended Mayville State Teachers College and was also active in College. She taught school in several rural schools in the Mayville/Portland area.    She met Edward Sparrow at a Luther League gathering and they were married on Viola’s birthday, October 14, 1944. They spent most of their remaining years on the family farm until Edward’s death in 1992.    Edward and Viola had four children. She is survived by her daughter: Kathy (Jim) Paul; three sons: Tom (Judy) Sparrow, Lauren (Dawn) Sparrow and Dan Sparrow; 10 grandchildren: Chad (Echoe) Paul, Ryan (Amber) Paul, Chelsea (Phil) Cole, Melissa (Rick) Lien, Jacque (Jeno) Johnson, Todd (Rosella) Sparrow, Heidi (Chad) Williamson, Tim (Justyna) Sparrow, Jesse (Jessi) Sparrow and Erik (Deling) Sparrow; 22 great-grandchildren: Anthony, Asher, Eliana and Jasmyn Paul, Olivia, Calbria Paul, Veda and Simon Cole, Alex and Samantha Lien, Isabelle, Grace and Eleanor Johnson, Tyler, Kelsie and Carter Sparrow, Cody, Ethan, Mandy and Joe Williamson, Tobias Edward Sparrow and Tristen Sparrow; also numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.    She is preceded in death by her parents; husband: Edward; her sister: Fern and two brothers: Charles and Roger Schmitz. Visitation:  Will be 5–7 PM on Wednesday, June 6, 2018 at the Baker Funeral Home Chapel in Mayville, ND and will resume one hour prior to the service. Funeral Service: 11:00 AM Thursday, June 7, 2018 at the Luther Memorial Home Chapel in Mayville, ND. Burial: Will be in the Bang Cemetery in Portland, ND.