Viola E. Ethier

   Viola E. Ethier, 86, of Whiting, Iowa formerly of Sioux City, peacefully passed away of natural causes while in the care of hospice on Sunday, September 29, 2019 at the Pleasant View Care Center in Whiting, Iowa.

   Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 5, 2019, at Meyer Brothers Morningside Chapel, 6200 Morningside Ave., in Sioux City.  Visitation, with family present, will be one hour prior to the service.  Burial will follow immediately afterwards at Memorial Park Cemetery.  

   Viola was born on September 22, 1933 in Humphrey, Nebraska to George Wemhoff and Agatha (Van Dyke) Wemhoff.  Following the passing of her mother at an early age Viola joined the convent as Sister Mary Georgia and received her education from Loretto College in Colorado graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1956 and began her career as a Registered Nurse until her dispensation from the convent in 1963.  Following her dispensation she moved to Sioux City, Iowa and continued her nursing career at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Marian Heath Center and Mercy Health Center.  Viola moved into a house in Sioux City and met her future husband, William Ethier who lived across the street.  On February 12, 1966, they were married at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Sioux City.  

   Viola was very devoted to her faith and was a long-time member of St. Michaels Catholic Church in Sioux City.  Because of her faith and love of life, Viola overcame many obstacles in her life including being a survivor of ovarian cancer.  She was a dedicated wife to her husband, William, of 51 years and a loving mother to her three boys, whom she was very proud of and talked about continuously.  Viola was a well-respected nurse in Sioux City by her colleagues because of her dedication knowledge and, was also known for her light-hearted sense of humor. 

   Viola was preceded in death by William, who devotedly cared for her at home for many years before she went into a nursing facility, as well as her parents and siblings James Wemhoff and Sister Eileen Wemhoff.  

   Her children are Kirk Ethier and his wife Barbi of Whiting, Iowa, Gregory Ethier and his wife Angela of Dallas, Texas, and Todd Ethier and his wife Mary of St. Petersburg, Florida.  Grandchildren Ryan, Nicholas, Elle and Benjamin Ethier of Whiting, Iowa; Bailey and Julia Ethier of Dallas, Texas; and Joshua Ethier of St Petersburg, Florida.

   Casket Bearers for the service will be Kirk Ethier and his son Ryan Ethier, Greg Ethier and his son Bailey Ethier, and Todd Ethier and his son Joshua Ethier.

   Memorial contributions may be directed to the American Cancer Society.