Viola Schlapbach went to be with our Lord and Savior on June 12, 2024 at SSM Health Hospice Home in Monroe. Viola was born on May 8, 1928 in Beloit, Wi to J. Frank and Dorothy (Schwartz) Stuntz. Viola attended Albany Public Schools, graduating in 1946. She played the clarinet in the school marching band. On Nov 8, 1946 Viola married Fritz Schlapbach in New Glarus.
She is survived by her daughters, Pauline (Ray) Wyss and Darlene Schlapbach and her son John (Julie) Schlabach. Her grandchildren: Becky (Kevin) Monte-Hayden, Tonya Monte (Carlos), Micah (Sarah) Wyss, Katie (Brian) Kaetterhenry, Ryan Schlabach, Ellie (Joel) Kinzel, Tom (LidaMarie) Schlabach, Kathleen Schlabach (fiancé Connor), Fred (Ana) Schlabach, Jack Schlabach, Christie (Connor) Anfang, and Nick (Zoe) Schlabach and great grandchildren: Jared (Shayla), Emma, Reyna, Abby, Caleb, Mylie, Ethan, Isaac, Nora, Frank, MaryPearl, Parker, and Hudson.
She is further survived by sisters-in-law Elizabeth Bongard and Dorothy Schlapbach.
Viola was preceded in death by her husband, parents, father & mother-in-law Adolf and Bertha Schlapbach, an infant brother Virgil, sisters; Irene (Ed) Striker, Helen (Ralph) Luedy, and Leona (Gabe) Weber and brothers Lloyd (Helen) and Ivan (Agnes) Edwards, brothers and sisters-in-law Al (Elsie) Bach, Ann (Joe) Buchel, Hans (Helen) Schlapbach, Victor Bongard.
Viola was blessed with special friends Cathy Donahue, Jayne Trapp, and Kevin and Sherri Donahue.
Viola enjoyed crocheting and oil painting. She loved dachshunds and raised purebred dachshunds in the 1950’s. Viola assisted her husband, Fritz, while farming in the Mount Horeb, Middleton, and Brooklyn areas. They moved to Albany in 1966 and founded and operated the Albany Silo Company. In 2017, Viola retired from Albany Silo Company at the age of 89 years.
A special thanks to the staff at SSM Health Hospice for their loving and compassionate care
Per Viola’s wishes a small private service will be held at Shriner-Hager-Golke funeral home with Kevin Donahue officiating. Burial will be in the Hillcrest Cemetery, Albany.
Memorials may be made to the Gap Church for their restoration project.
