Viola Mae Iversen

Viola “Vi” M. Iversen, age 86, of Blooming Prairie, Minnesota, passed away on Saturday, April 6, 2024, at Prairie Manor in Blooming Prairie. Viola Mae Schirmer was born on May 8, 1937, in Greenfield, Iowa, to Raymond and Alice (Mathews) Schirmer. She graduated from Hancock High School in 1955. Following graduation, Vi worked as a nurse’s aide. She then attended nurse’s training at Swedish Hospital in Minneapolis. Vi passed her state boards to become an LPN and began working in the nursery at Swedish Hospital. In June of 1958, Vi married Warren Iversen, whom she met while attending a dance at the Lakeside Ballroom in Glenwood. She wanted to go see the first Elvis Presley movie, but her sister talked her into going to the dance instead. Warren had to come to her house to ask her out as they had no telephone. Vi continued working as a nurse until the birth of her first child. The family moved during the early years of Vi’s working career but came to Blooming Prairie in 1967 and raised their family there. After the kids were grown, Vi began working as a receptionist for Dr. Razidlo at the Blooming Prairie Clinic until she retired. In retirement, the couple enjoyed many winters in Arizona. Vi enjoyed reading and walking, especially walking in the woods. She was a charter member of the Blooming Prairie Red Hat Club and volunteered many hours with the Girl Scouts. Vi was a longtime member of First Lutheran Church where she was active in Circle and served on the board, including as Chairwoman, and taught confirmation classes. Vi was such a compassionate and generous woman always putting other people’s feelings before hers. We will love and miss her forever.

Vi is survived by her children, Kevin (Robyn) Iversen of Byron; Paul (Laura) Iversen of Mt. Vernon, Iowa, Michael (Kathleen) Iversen of Chaska, and Barbara (Teresa Carson) Iversen of Minneapolis; seven grandchildren, Peter (Becca) Iversen, Quinn (Melody) Redig, Elizabeth (Nik) Grunloh, Adam Iversen, Carly (Grant) Thomas, Samantha (Andrew) Botz, and Nicholas (Toria Lodzinski) Iversen; four great-grandchildren, Everlee and Wesley Iversen, Iian Grunloh, and Evelynn Redig; sister, Bonnie Schirmer; brothers, Robert Schirmer and William Schirmer; brothers-in-law, Darryl Iversen, Burton Iversen, and Pete (Janet) Iversen; and sisters-in-law, Audrey O’Connor, MaryAnn Naylor, June Jaeger, and Janet (Lenny) Gunderson. She was preceded in death by her parents, Raymond and Alice; husband, Warren; sisters, Harriet (Darrel) Palm and Marlys Schirmer; brother, Reynold Schirmer; sisters-in-law, Charlet Hannon, Mary Kay Iversen, Diane Iversen, and LuJean Iversen; and brothers-in-law, Robert O’Connor, Ward Naylor, Dennis Jaeger, and Daniel Hannon.

Vi’s family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff of Prairie Manor, Heather Haus, and special caregiver, Marilyn Severtson, for the wonderful care of our mother.