Violet Schlee

Thursday, September 14, 2023 1:47 pm

Violet Schlee, age 94, of Decorah, passed away peacefully on Sept.13, 2023, surrounded by family members at UW Health University Hospital in Madison, Wis.

Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday Sept. 20, 2023, at St. Benedict Catholic Church in Decorah with Deacon Mike Ward presiding. Burial will be in the Phelps Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until the time of service on Wednesday at the church.

On May 15, 1929, Violet was born to Arthur and Jennie (Bowers) Brady. She graduated from Colesburg High School May 1947 valedictorian of her class. Violet was united in marriage to LeRoy Schlee at the Garber Lutheran Church on June 20, 1947, and lived in Guttenberg until 1955 when the family moved to the Edgewood Colesburg community.

In 1988, they made their home in Decorah. Violet (AKA Porcia, Cookie, Stick-in-the-Mud) was very proud of her cheerleading and once led a cheer for the other team because her boyfriend, LeRoy played on the rival team. As majorette she led the high school marching band. While in kindergarten Violet performed a solo tap-dancing performance in the Senior play and was very proud.Violet loved to shop and tell stories about her childhood.

Growing up on the farm and riding her pony (Molly) were among her favorite memories. She never missed a chance to make someone laugh with the jokes she loved to tell. She was most happy spending time with family and friends. Violet always made her children feel like they were the most important.

Violet is survived by nine children: Sherry Jaeger (Rush Cleveland), Susan Schlee, Lee Schlee, Wendy (Craig) Kruger, Joey Schlee, Ellen Schlee (Ted Norman), Robin Schlee (Mike Sheehan), Scott (Katie) Schlee, Daniel (Linda) Schlee and 97 grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great great grandchildren with 3 more on the way. She is also survived by her sister, Berta Farquhar and brother Steve Brady and his wife Donna and many nieces and nephews.

Violet was preceded in death by her dear husband, LeRoy Schlee, their parents Arthur and Jennie (Bowers) Brady and Herman and Amelia (Eberhardt) Schlee, great grandson Samuel Ward, daughter-in-law Chris Schlee, son-in-law Rick Klein, and her siblings Mildred Farmer and Bernice Bauer and their spouses, and Dick Farquhar and all of LeRoy’s siblings.

Violet was the dearest mother and friend. We were truly blessed by her sweet, soft-spoken presence and she will remain in our hearts forever.