Viola Binsz

Viola Binsz, age 100, of Ortonville, MN and formerly of Fosston, MN, passed away on Wednesday (October 16th) at Northridge Nursing Home in Ortonville. A celebration of Viola's life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday (October 23rd) at Bethel Assembly Church in Fosston with Pastor David Johnson officiating. Interment will be in Mamre Cemetery, rural Fosston. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. with a 6:30 p.m. prayer service on Tuesday (October 22nd) at the Carlin-Hoialmen Funeral Home in Fosston. There will also be reviewal for one hour prior to the service on Wednesday at the church. Arrangements are with the Carlin-Hoialmen Funeral Home of Fosston and messages of condolence may be sent at carlinhoialmen.com.Viola M. Braaten was born to Tollef and Olava (Johnson) Braaten on April 23, 1913. She was the youngest of six brothers and sisters and five half brothers and sisters. They lived on a farm that Tollef homesteaded when the Chippewa Territory was opened for settlement in Northern Minnesota. Viola met Robert Binsz, who was a neighbor, and they married in 1931. They took over the farm and three children were born to them: Darald, JoAnn & Lynette. Viola helped with the farming, milked cows, maintained the yard and always had a big garden and many flower beds which all flourished under her ‘green thumb'. She was active in many community and political organizations in the Bagley area. She used her musical abilities in the Bagley Chapel as pianist and singer. She loved her family, cooking and entertaining.They sold the farm in 1971 and moved to Fosston. Bethel Assembly became their home church and Viola was active in women's ministries, the prayer group, music and nursing home visitation.They began to travel during the Minnesota winters and explored new places. They made many friends during their trips to Georgia, Texas, Arizona and California. Viola learned to handle their trailer and RV and shared the driving with Robert. In 1997 they moved to Hemet, CA to be near JoAnn and Clifford, selling their home in Fosston in 1999. Viola moved back to her ‘roots' in 2005. She lived in Prairie Pines, an assisted living facility in Fosston, where she renewed many friendships and built new ones. In 2010, after illness no longer allowed her to live alone, she moved to Northridge Residence in Ortonville to be near Lynette. She celebrated her 100th birthday there.Viola was preceded in death by her parents, all her siblings and her beloved husband Robert, who passed away in 2000. She is survived by her children Darald (Evelyn) Binsz of Winterville, GA, JoAnn (Clifford) Larson of Hemet, CA and Lynette (Mike) Gilbertson of Wilmot, SD; seven grandchildren, fifteen great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. The family is grateful for the heritage left to us by Viola and Robert. Viola went to be with her Savior on October 16, 2013. She is now "Safe In The Arms of Jesus".