Viola J. Francomb, age 85, of Darlington, WI, passed away Monday, May 26, 2008 at Lafayette Manor Nursing Home in Darlington. She was born September 29, 1922 in Lafayette County, WI, the daughter of Frank A. and Josephine (Rude) Holverson. Viola was united in marriage to James F. Francomb on March 8, 1945 at East Wiota Lutheran Parsonage. She lived and farmed with her husband in the Lafayette County area before moving into the city of Darlington in the early 1970's. Viola also worked in the kitchen at the Lafayette Manor and later as an Activities Aid, before retiring in 1984. Following her retirement, Viola volunteered as an aid at Humpty Dumpty Pre-School for eight years where she was fondly known as "Grandma Vi" and still is today.

Viola is survived by her son, Robert (Wanda Badertscher) Francomb of Darlington; and one brother, Roy Holverson of Browntown, WI. She was preceded in death by her husband James, in 1971 and her daughter, Lois Jean; a special friend, Loren "Buck" Rogers.

Viola was a member of Grace Lutheran Church, Darlington and its Women of the ELCA. She enjoyed collecting elephant paraphernalia and traveling. She will be fondly remembered and sadly missed by family and friends.

Funeral services will be held Friday, May 30, 2008 at 11 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church, Darlington, with Rev. Carol Johnson officiating. Burial will be at West Wiota Cemetery, Gratiot township, Lafayette County, WI. A visitation will be held Thursday, May 29, 2008 from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Erickson Funeral Home in Darlington. On line condolences may be left for the family at www.ericksonfuneralhome.com

For those who prefer, a memorial fund has been established in Viola's name.