Violet "Vi" M. Harris

Violet Harris, 89 of Rochester formerly of Lake Vermilion-Cook passed away on Wednesday, November 11, 2015 in Rochester, MN
She was born Violet Marion Jackson on February 20, 1926 in Idington, MN the daughter of August and Laina (Alaputto) Jackson. At August's untimely death in 1926, Laina married Emil Nurmi in 1928, who became her adoptive father.
She grew up in Idington, Minnesota, graduating from Alango High School in 1945. After graduation Vi furthered her education by completing Duluth Beauty School, graduating in 1946. She married Ray A. Harris on May 10, 1947 at Sand Lake-Britt, MN. The couple moved to Zim in 1953. She had been employed at Arrowhead Beauty Shop in Virginia and the Marie Jackson Beauty Shop in Cook, then opened and operated Vi's Beauty Shop for 30 years. Ray and Vi moved to Lake Vermilion in 1969. Vi was a dedicated volunteer for 20 years at the Cook Nursing Home beauty shop, where she visited with the residents and used her hairdressing skills. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Cook, a member of WELCA, Lydia Circle, and where she taught Sunday school. She was a committed member of the Cook's Lions Club, Cook VFW Auxiliary and the MN Rural Letter Carriers Auxiliary, where she served as state board officer. Vi was a charter member of the Sportsmen's Club of lake Vermilion. Vi and Ray enjoyed living on Lake Vermilion for 40 years, making numerous lasting friendships, before moving to Rochester in 2009.
She was very skilled at sewing, knitting, crocheting, and most any other handwork. Vi was an avid reader and enjoyed fishing, cross country skiing, camping and boating. She loved traveling and had the opportunity to see most of the United States, Scandinavia and Australia. Her treasured times were those spent with family and friends. She will be remembered as an excellent wife, mother and homemaker.
In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by 1 daughter, Rebecca Harris in 1949; 1 son, Edward Harris in 1982, and 1 granddaughter Sara Palmer in 1999.
Vi is survived by her husband of 68 years, Ray of Rochester, MN; children: Nancy (Jim) Fisher of Zim, Deborah (Jim) Palmer of Rochester, MN, Robert "Bob" (Susan) Harris of Mason City, Iowa and Barbara (Marc) Seide of Rochester, MN; 8 grandchildren, Brenda Fisher, Keith (Kristi) Fisher, Dana (Christoph) Palmer Zorich, David Palmer, Anthony (Elissa) Harris, Patrick Harris, Michael (Hayley) Seide and Jessica Seide; 7 great grandchildren, Eliza and Thomas Zorich, Jacoby and Kiley Seide, Sonja and Theodore Harris and Anna Fisher; along with many other special relatives and friends.
SERVICES: Memorial services will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, December 12, 2015 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Cook. A gathering of family and friends will be held one hour prior to the service. Brenda Tibbetts, Associate in Ministry, and Rev. Bruce Hannem will be the officiants. A reception in Vi's honor will follow the service in the church social hall. Burial will be at a later date in the Forbes Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Vi's name may be directed to Trinity Lutheran Church Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 1196, Cook, MN. 55723 or the Sportsmen's Club of Lake Vermilion, P.O. Box 696, Tower, MN. 55790. Arrangements are with Mlaker Funeral Home in Cook. To sign the online guest book or to leave a condolence for the family go to www.mlakerfuneralhome.com