Viola Marie Depperschmidt Enslinger, 94, of La Crosse, Kansas, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 5, 2022, at Rush County Memorial Hospital. No longer hindered by a failing body and mind, she went to be with the Lord and was reunited with the love of her life, Ben.
Viola was born on September 24, 1927, in La Crosse, Kansas, to John and Bernadina (Werth) Depperschmidt. She was a graduate of Schoenchen High School, Schoenchen, Kansas. While attending school, she met her sweetheart, Ben Enslinger. They were married on October 27, 1948, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Liebenthal, Kansas. They then settled in La Crosse, Kansas. In 1972 Viola and Ben became co-owners of Enslinger Lumber and ran their business for nearly 40 years until they reluctantly entered into semi-retirement. After 63 years of marriage, Ben passed away July 14, 2012.
Viola and Ben happily welcomed three children, Belinda, Kathy, and Lynn, into their family. Viola loved being a mother and being home with her children. She often spoke of how she had cookies waiting for not only her children but many neighborhood kids when they came home from school. She relished her role as Grandmother to seven grandchildren and was very involved in supporting them throughout their lives. She was also Great-Grandma to 20 great-grandkids. She and Ben took great pride in their posterity.
Viola enjoyed embroidery, sewing, quilt making, cooking, baking, playing cards, eating sweets, and traveling. She was a gifted seamstress and created beautiful quilts that will be cherished by her family and friends for years to come. She took great pride in her work and would correct mistakes until it was perfect. She won numerous ribbons for her handiwork at the local fair. Viola loved to travel with her husband and they visited many countries together. Viola was an avid walker and could be seen walking around the neighborhood well into her late 80s. She was an excellent cook, loved to feed her family, and she especially enjoyed dessert.
In addition to working alongside her husband at Enslinger Lumber, Viola was an active member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church and of the Altar Society, she volunteered at Second Chance thrift store for 25 years, and was a regular blood donor.
Viola leaves behind her daughters: Belinda (Bruce Axelrod) Tomlinson of Fort Collins, Colorado, and Kathy (John) Stockton of Lafayette, Colorado; a son, Lynn of La Crosse, Kansas; seven grandchildren: Ryan (Candise) Tomlinson, Scott (Sarah) Tomlinson, Eric (Ellen) Stockton, Jason (Kristin) Stockton, Kelsey (Josh) Clemens, Dustin (Heather) Enslinger, and Melissa (Shawn) Minge; and 20 great-grandchildren.
Viola was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; daughter-in-law, Patricia Enslinger; her brothers: Eugene, Alfred, Harold, and Pat; and sisters: Esther Enslinger, Louise Rupp, Vernita Linenberger, Edna Depperschmidt, and JoAnna Depperschmidt. Viola was the last surviving sibling of the Depperschmidt family.
Visitation will be Sunday, January 9, 2022, from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, La Crosse, Kansas, with the family receiving friends from 6:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. A vigil service and rosary will be at 7:00 P.M.
Church visitation will be Monday, January 10, 2022, from 9:30 A.M. to 10:20 A.M. at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, La Crosse, Kansas.
Funeral service will be Monday, January 10, 2022, at 10:30 A.M. at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, La Crosse, Kansas, with Father Stephen Dabanka officiating. Interment will be in the La Crosse City Cemetery, La Crosse, Kansas.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to St. Michael’s Catholic Church, La Crosse, Kansas, and Sunflower Diversified Services, Great Bend, Kansas.
Condolences or remembrances may be left for the family at www.janousekfuneralhome.com.