Viola Pospisil passed away Feb. 10, 2024, at Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids. 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 is 9:30 to 11 a.m., Thursday, February 15, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Mount Vernon. Funeral Mass is 11 a.m., Thursday, February 15, at the church with luncheon to follow. Burial will be held at Lisbon Cemetery in Lisbon, Iowa.
Viola Lorraine Miller was born in Cedar Rapids, on Nov. 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, 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.
Those unable to attend are invited to watch the service via livestream. Please find the livestream link on Viola’s tribute wall and share your support and memories with her family at www.stewartbaxter.com under obituaries.