Obituary

Aug 04, 2023

Viola Joyce (Baldwin) Stahlback, age 89, of New Ulm, died Sunday, July 23, 2023 at the Benedictine Living Community in St. Peter.

Funeral service will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, July 28, 2023 at the Minnesota Valley Funeral Home-SOUTH Chapel in New Ulm, with Pastor Jerry David officiating. Burial will be in Minneopa Cemetery in Mankato.

Visitation will be one hour prior to the service Friday at the funeral home.

To leave an online condolence for her family, or to sign the guestbook, go to: www.mvfh.org

Viola is survived by her children, Gilbert Stahlback of Hastings, MN and Joyce (Raymond) Wigley of Lake Crystal, MN; grandchildren, Sarah (Todd) Riess of Sleepy Eye, MN and Curtis Wigley of Mankato, MN; great-grandchildren, Raymond and Natalie; brother, Terry (Cherrie) Baldwin of Amboy, WA; and sister-in-law, Frances Baldwin.

She was proceeded in death by her parents; son, Randy; siblings, Robert Baldwin, Eileen Townsend, Mildred Baldwin, Mary Showalter, Owen (Bill) Baldwin, Shirley Morris and Richard Baldwin.

She was destined to have a passion for growing flowers as her parents, Owen Bertram and Margaret Jane (Proffit) Baldwin named her Viola after her mom received a beautiful bouquet of viola flowers. She was born November 26, 1933 in Hubbard County, MN.

As a youngster, some of her fond memories included fishing with her brother Bill, tending to chickens, growing flowers and performing in the high school musical. She graduated from Akeley High School.

After high school, she worked at Munsingwear. She was a housekeeper for a few years and became a Home Health Aide. In later years, she worked for MRCI until her retirement. During her working years, Viola’s favorite job was caring for elderly people in their homes.

Her hobbies included sketching, crocheting, sewing, embroidery and playing dominoes. She had a green thumb and a passion for growing flowers. A favorite pastime was to listen to old time polka and gospel music.

A gentle soul, always giving, seldom asking for anything in return, Viola showed those around her the value of principles, the beauty in simplicity, and the depth of family love.

A special thanks to the staffs at Orchard Hill, New Ulm and Benedictine, St. Peter for all the loving care shown to Viola during her residency.