Viola Pospisil passed away on February 10, 2024, at Mercy Medical Center, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Her family gathered physically and virtually to celebrate her and to be by her side as she peacefully slipped into rest. She would have considered this to be one of her very best days.
Visitation: 9:30-11:00 a.m., Thursday, February 15, 2024, St. John's Catholic Church, Mount Vernon, Iowa. Funeral Mass: 11:00 a.m., Thursday, February 15, 2024, at the church with luncheon to follow. Burial: Lisbon Cemetery, Lisbon, Iowa.
Viola Lorraine Miller was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on November 29, 1931, to parents Michael Joseph Miller and Rose Monica Stanek Miller. She placed last in a long line of siblings and was arguably the most spoiled (Mom would certainly argue!) and cutest (Mom would not argue!). According to Vi, she enjoyed a wonderful childhood, although hard work was required with a big family to feed on the proceeds from a small truck farm.
Vi was smart as a whip. She attended Shueyville High School where she played girls' basketball and graduated in 1948 at the age of sixteen. As her children, we always enjoyed accompanying her to her class reunions and loved to hear of the funny business and high jinks she enjoyed in her young life. We were not surprised a bit.
In 1947, Vi attended a dance at the C.S.P.S. hall. There she met a young war veteran, Bennie Wesley Pospisil. From the sounds of things, they did not exactly hit it off at first. Dad, though, was highly determined and persuasive and won her heart fully and forever in the end. They were married at Saint Wenceslaus Church in Cedar Rapids, IA, on February 8, 1949.Both Bennie and Vi were raised as farm kids. They were not afraid to commit themselves to their marriage and the hard work and sacrifice their dreams would require. They were eventually blessed with their three children, Kenny, Linda, and Gregg. They raised them to be faithful, honest, and hard-working. Family came first and respect and discipline were to be expected.Vi somehow found time'for Dad, for us, for so many, many things. Mom was simply a doer. Vi was a life-long member of the Catholic Church, where she faithfully attended Mass with her family. She was a long-time member of the Linn Ladies Club north of town and joined in all the social fun they dreamed up. She was a member and officer of the American Legion Auxiliary where she was named a Gold Star Sister and could always be seen at the National Poppy Day sale decked out in red, white, and blue with matching shoes. When Grandma Miller entered Hallmark Care Center, Mom began her long volunteer service there, where she worked with staff to ensure residents' rights and dignity were preserved. Most of all, she was kind and had a ready smile for each person there. Mom was full of talent and curiosity. To us she was the kolache, strudel, houska, and rosette making queen. On top of all that, she actually enjoyed gardening and felt true satisfaction when she could see the fruits of her canning crazies lining her pantry walls. She loved life on the farm and helping Dad in every way she could, where she kept meticulous records of everything and every dollar spent and received, driving the tractor in their fields, and making hot meals to drive out to the harvesting crew. She crocheted beautiful doilies, wore silly costumes, and made the best darn meals. She was just everything, and she made it look so easy.
Vi is survived by her children, Kenneth Pospisil (Jane), Linda McNeal, and Gregory Pospisil (Robin); grandchildren, Braden JP Rood (Anton), Sean McNeal (Gennifer), Benjamin Pospisil (Megan), Jennifer Woods (Keith), Joshua Pospisil (Erin), and Jacob Pospisil (Breannon); great-grandchildren, Jasper, Atticus, and Chester Rood, Jalen, Kia, and Brendon McNeal, Trystin and Aly Lashley, Benjamin II and Alaina Pospisil, Lydia Woods, and Whitney Woods Fernandez (Abe), Avery Pospisil, and Laine and Silas Pospisil; great-great-grandchildren, Liliana and Gianna Fernandez; and her beloved nieces and nephews.Vi was preceded in death by her parents, husband, siblings, Ernest, Monica, Stanley, Marianne, Beatrice, Blanche, and Bohumil (Benjamin); and beloved son-in-law, Dan McNeal.
Vi was, and will continue to be, a true gift to her family. She gave quietly and generously of everything she had. She made us feel loved and accepted. She was wonderful, and we are proud and honored to call her ours.
Our sincere Thank You goes out to the people and agencies who have helped and guided us through the last steps of Mom's journey: Mercy Care Mount Vernon, Hallmark Care Center, Lisbon Rehabilitation Center, the Mercy Hospital ICU unit, and the caring, healing staff there, the staff and congregation of Saint John the Baptist Church, and our much-loved family and friends who have kept us supported by your prayers and your presence. May you all somehow know how much we appreciate every gesture, and every prayer.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church, Southeast Linn Community Center, and local agencies and services that protect and care for us.
We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services – Mount Vernon
I was blessed to live across Highway 1 from Benny and Vi when I moved here April 1, 1994
A great memory for me is,
I have a huge front lawn and only a Walmart Murry with a 42in deck. Vi would often come cross the highway around 8:30pm or so as I had to mow after work and the property needed a lot of work. Why did she come over you ask? To give me a few bite size Snickers candy and to encourage me to keep mowing. At 10pm their living room light went out. That’s my reminder, it’s time for bed. I miss them both. Blessed to have here!
Very Sorry for the Loss of Vi💔 she will be missed by many. God Has a Better Plan then Us! My Condolences 💐 to her whole Family🙏 Alice
Your mom was an inspiration for so many. She was always so kind to us. We are so sorry we won’t be able to attend the funeral with you. Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers. With sincere sympathy,
Terese Pisarik
Patty Lynch
Vi will remain in our hearts forever.All our love,Vince and Allison Brautigam
A kind soul and great customer of mine at Gary’s Foods and later at Lynch. She was fun and interesting to have a conversation with.
Jon Barnes
Back in the 80s, Vi volunteered at the care center where I was the activities coordinator at the time. She was always so kind and encouraging. I have fond memories of her. I know this is a big loss for your family. My condolences. Linda Elliott
Gary and I moved to Mount Vernon in 1985. We met Bennie and Vi at St John’s where we all attended Church. Know some of her grandchildren, Jen who our family loves, Sean, and Ben. She love her family and they loved her. When our daughter Amanda had cancer Vi always stopped after Mass to ask about her. That meant everything to me, that she cared enough to ask. Linda, Kenny, Gregg, I know that Amanda will be one in the heavens to welcome her, along with the love of her life Bennie. She will be missed but never forgotten.
Hugs,
Loraine Kula
I remember coming out to the farm, I was 8 yrs. old! Uncle Bennie and Aunt Vi had me over to spend the night! I remember having fun on the farm. I also remember going to Grandma Pospisil’s birthday parties at the nursing home and seeing them. As hard as it is to lose your mom, I know they are together again! God Bless the family and may your memories bring you peace! RIP Aunt Vi & Uncle Bennie! ❤️
I heard of stories many years of Vi and Bennie from my dad Marv Pospisil . I am sorry for your loss , and your mom was so beautiful .
Penny Pospisil- Shedek
Kenny, Linda, Greg and family,
I’m so sorry to learn of Vi’s passing, but what a life she lived. Wow, she just about did it all….I can still see your folks out on the dance floor, they were such beautiful dancers, so tall and graceful. I would visit with Vi everytime I went to see my sister in-law, she always had a big smile when she saw me, she loved to talk. You have a beautiful Mother, I know how you all will miss her.
Love and hugs,
Annamae Baker
Vi was a neighbor, a friend and a mentor. My memories of her extend over 40 years and what you said about her in her obituary rings so true. I remember when Bennie had to modify his diet due to health reasons, Vi revamped all her recipes to address his needs including her not-to-be matched kolache recipe. She just did things because it was the right thing to do, and not for any recognition. She was always there to lend a helping hand, never afraid of hard work, and simply followed her keen sense of what was right. Our family always felt blessed as she remembered Leah and Drew’s birthdays with a little book, and of course that heavenly Stollen at Christmas time. I remember sharing at Linn Ladies’ Club that I was having trouble with sugar cookies and the next day she was at my door with a batch of hers straight from the oven along with the recipe. That was Vi.
I also remember her tremendous sense of humor, how she welcomed laughing and all the crazy good times we shared at that Linn Ladies’ Study Club. It was really a study in friendship more than anything else. Vi made a mark on this community through her goodness, caring and good work. Brava to a life well lived. Brava to a family who celebrates her today and for all the days to come. I will miss her humble loving soul. Gladys Olsen
Vi was a very loving lady. My sincere condolences to the family.