ISHPEMING, MI - The family of Viola Evelyn Williams would like to share the news that Viola was called home to heaven on Wednesday September 9, 2026, at the age of 101. She was blessed with a long life surrounded by the love of family and friends.

Viola was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 67 years, Kenneth Gordon Williams, her parents, Hattie and Elias Pennala, sisters Eleanor (Pennala) Bennett, Martha (Pennala) Ulrickson, and brother Norman Pennala.

She is survived by four children, Nancy (Gerry) Anderson of Tucson AZ, Scott (Mary) Williams of South Fork, CO, Vicki Williams of Albuquerque NM, and Lisa (Jim) MacDonald of CO, grandson Luke Anderson of Tucson, AZ, sister-in-law Barbara (Gauthier) Pennala, great grandson Connor Anderson, great granddaughter Christiana Anderson, step- grandson Brandon (Casey) Howard of Evergreen CO, step-granddaughter Erin Howard of Denver, CO, and step- great granddaughter Hazel Howard. Her sister-in-law Barbara Pennala and a host of nieces and nephews, loving relatives and close friends.

Viola, or as everyone called her, Vi, was born on August 2, 1925, at Bell Memorial Hospital and lived in the North Lake neighborhood of Ishpeming. She attended elementary school in North Lake and graduated from Ishpeming High School in 1943. After graduation she became a “Gossard Girl” and was proud to be involved in the successful strike that unionized the factory, a landmark moment where women took charge of a major labor dispute in the Upper Peninsula.

She met Ken, the love of her life at the Venice Supper Club. They married on April 19, 1947, and shared a life of adventure, taking vacations in and around Michigan and Wisconsin when their children were young and continued those family vacations in Colorado, New Mexico, Florida, and Tennessee.

Vi shared her love of cooking throughout her working life. She worked as a cook at the A&W restaurants in Negaunee and Ishpeming before spending many years at C. L. Phelps Middle School, where she worked full-time in the cafeteria.

Vi was a wonderful cook and an especially talented baker. Her family will always remember the special treats she made for them, including her famous toffee bars, saffron and the angel food confetti cakes with boiled frosting that she lovingly made for her children’s birthday celebrations each year. And, of course, her pasties and spaghetti and meatballs were simply the best!

Vi was deeply involved in her community and devoted much of her life to helping others. She was a proud member of the VFW Auxiliary, where she generously gave her time and support to veterans and their families.

Above all, Vi’s unwavering faith in God was the foundation of her life. She and Ken were founding members of Hope Free Evangelical Lutheran Church, a community that held a special place in their hearts. Her love for the Lord inspired her to teach Sunday School and to share her faith with others. Together with Ken and fellow church members, she traveled to Nogales, Mexico, on a missionary journey, where they shared the Gospel and read Scripture while helping to build homes for families in need.

Vi and Ken also cherished the opportunity to attend conferences of the Association of Free Lutheran Congregations, traveling throughout Washington, North Dakota, and Minnesota. These journeys allowed them to deepen their faith, build lasting friendships, and fellowship with members of the church community across the country.

Through her faith, service, and love for others, Vi touched many lives and left a lasting legacy of kindness, devotion, and compassion

Vi was quite the game lover - who knew! She loved a good challenge whether it was a board game, card game, a puzzle or one of the many games on her Kindle. She enjoyed the challenges of Parcheesi, Yahtzee, Spades, Hearts, Bingo, Words with Friends, and Solitaire. You could always find her watching Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune. Vi was a detective too. She enjoyed reading murder mysteries and legal thrillers and enjoyed watching Perry Mason, trying to figure out “who dunnit”.

Vi never met a stranger! She was always the first to strike up a conversation with someone, whether it was at a mall, waiting for her daughters to finish shopping, sitting in a church pew, listening to the Negaunee City Band, enjoying Ishpeming’s Fourth of July parade, or cheering on the Hematites at the High School Basketball games.

Vi was compassionate, inspiring, and SISU strong; loved by everyone who knew her. When asked by the WLUC-TV 6 news reporter at her 100th birthday party, what she attributes her long life to, she answered, “Faith in the Lord”.

Nancy, Scott, Vicki and Lisa would like to recognize and thank all of the highly skilled staff members at Marquette County Medical Care Facility for the outstanding and compassionate care Mom received while she was a resident. We are forever and beyond grateful to the entire staff who cared for her and administered to her daily needs, all while maintaining her dignity.

Please join us at Hope Free Lutheran Church 795 North Lake Drive, Ishpeming, MI, on Thursday September 17, 2026, from 11:30 am – 1:00 pm for visitation and a service starting 1:00 pm with lunch to follow. Rev. Michael Carriere will officiate.

Internment will take place at the Ishpeming Cemetery.

Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.

Please consider, in lieu of flowers, sending a memorial gift to Hope Free Evangelical Church, P.O. Box 83 Ishpeming, MI 49849.

A full obituary may also be viewed at bjorkandzhulkie.com where relatives and friends are invited to share notes of remembrance.