Viola Dorothea Schager

longtime resident of Bainbridge Island, Washington, passed away on September 6, 2013, at the Wyatt House Retirement Center on the island. She was 88 years of age.Viola, second eldest of 11 children, was born January 6, 1925, in Ortley, South Dakota, to Hugo and Anna (Eide) Schloe. She spent her childhood on a farm outside of Summit, South Dakota, graduating from Sisseton High School in 1943. During high school she worked at Stavig's Store in Sisseton. After marrying she focused her talents on becoming a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. It was shortly after graduation that she married the love of her life, Lyle Schager, on September 15, 1943, in Pasadena, California, where Lyle was stationed while in the army. Barracks near the Santa Anita Racetrack provided them their first home. They also lived in Auburn and Seattle before venturing to Bainbridge Island in the late 1940s. It was on Hansen Road where they made their permanent residence of over 50 years in a house that Lyle built. She and Lyle enjoyed 56 years of marriage before his passing in 1999. Together they raised three sons, Donald, Richard, and Vernon. Despite Lyle's not attending high school and Viola's never attending college, she realized the importance of a good education and collectively they helped motivate all three of their sons to graduate from college.Viola developed a love of gardening. Anyone passing by her home was sure to notice the immaculately kept yard brimming with rhododendrons, azaleas, and other flowers. Flower arranging was her favorite hobby. She took several classes on arranging and was a judge for many of the Washington area flower shows. Vi was a longstanding active member of the Bainbridge Island Garden Club, as well as the local Arboretum and Arrangers' Guild. She attended the Eagle Harbor Congregational Church. Viola had a strong sense of family, not only to her immediate family but to extended family as well. She was always quick to lend a helping hand, offer a shoulder to cry on, or an ear to listen. Family and friends were often the lucky recipients of her many culinary talents.Viola was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Lyle, and sister, Luceil Faeth. She is survived by and will be dearly missed by her sons and their wives, Donald (Priscilla) of Livingston, Texas, Richard (Wendy) of Harstine Island, WA, and Vernon (Tina) of Bainbridge Island. She also leaves behind grandsons Bryan, Darren, Eric, Christopher, and Jordan Schager, granddaughter Heather Templin, and two great grandchildren, David and Danielle. Also surviving her are sisters Helen Scrivanich, Elaine Benner, Marie Rodeen, and Sarah Birnbaum, brothers Hugo, Glen, Paul, James and Simon Schloe, and numerous nieces and nephews.Family and friends are invited to attend a memorial celebration of her life at 1:30 PM on Saturday, September 21, 2013, at the Eagle Harbor Congregational Church, 105 Winslow Way West, Bainbridge Island, Washington.In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Bainbridge Island Volunteer Fire Fighters' Association, 8895 Madison Avenue, Bainbridge Island, or the Eagle Harbor Congregational Church.Arrangements are being handled by the Cook Family Funeral Home, Bainbridge Island. Please sign the on-line guestbook for the family.