Viola Fern Willis, born February 11, 1933, in Clarks, Nebraska to Clyde and Ethel Nichols, went home to be with the Lord on December 4, 2013. A beloved little sister to her four older brothers, Viola spent her childhood helping tend to the family's farm and caring for her little brother who was born a few years after her. She finally got her wish for a little sister when she was 17 years old.

After high school, Viola attended Kearney Teacher's College and received her teaching certificate. She spent a few years teaching K-8 in a one room school house in Nance County, where she walked uphill, through the snow, both ways to and from work. In 1954, she was married and moved to Southern California and started her family...

Our mother found herself unexpectedly one day having to raise 3 small children alone. So she pulled up her boot straps and forged forward for her children. She started out ironing clothes for change and eventually working for JC Penney, where she retired after 26 years. Our childhood was filled with precious memories and fun times. Eating popcorn and fudge for dinners on Friday nights, the yearly white flocked Christmas tree with bright red bulbs, family Easter egg hunts at Houghton Park in Long Beach, CA, and summer barbecues at Uncle Cecil and Aunt Zelda's house with lots of family around. Every August, we would hop on the train, bus, or plane and head to Nebraska. Mom loved visiting her parents, sister, brothers, other relatives, and endless friends she knew in her home state. Us kids had a blast too!

Mom loved watching ice skating and the Winter Olympics. She was a proud American and enjoyed line dancing and singing in the church choir at Community Presbyterian. She was always up for an adventure and went on many cruises with her good friend Norma, enjoying different parts of America.

Mom was also a happy member of the Binky Patrol, where she and other women lovingly sewed hundreds of blankets for newborns. The grandkids loved going to grandmas. She baked special treats and spoiled them with endless trips to Disneyland. A ride on "It's a Small World" was always a requirement!

After moving up to Washington in 2004, she got to see the beauty of the Northwest and spend precious time with her daughters. She loved to go to musicals and plays and enjoyed eating lots of different foods at the many family gatherings, always leaving room for dessert!

We will have emptiness in our hearts with her passing, but we rejoice in the knowledge that she has a restored body and is singing and dancing in heaven and is in the presence of the Lord. One day we will all be united in glory.

We love you and we like you Mom. ~Dennis, Debi, and Karen

Viola is survived by her three children: Dennis Ritterbush Heidi, Thousand Oaks, CA, Debi Johnson Larry, and Karen Wyant Don, Kennewick, WA, her brother Keith Nichols, her sister Carol DeLancey Chuck, Fullerton, NE. She was a proud grandma to: Shawn, Justin, Ashley, Kristopfer, Paul, Hayley, Matthew, Kristin, Kyle, and Carlie, and great-grandchildren Jaycee, Payton, Abigail, and Lillian. She is preceded in death by her parents: Clyde and Ethel Nichols, brothers: Gary, Don, Neil, Leon, and her beloved husband Kim.

The family would like to invite family and friends for a Celebration of Viola's Life on Friday, December 13, 2013 from 1:00pm to 4:00pm at Memories at Sunset Event Center, 915 By-Pass Hwy in Richland.