Violet (Swandal) Parker

Violet (Swandal) Parker, age 89, formerly of Missoula and Wilsall, passed away Tuesday, January, 21 2014 at Caslen Living Center. Cremation has taken place at Franzen-Davis Crematory. A Memorial Funeral Service will be held 1 P.M. Saturday, May 24, 2014 at the Shields River Lutheran Church in Wilsall with interment in the Wilsall Cemetery. Fellowship will follow the interment at the Wilsall Community Center. Memorials are preferred to the donor's choice. Violet was born on September 21, 1924 on the family ranch along the Shields River near Wilsall, the daughter of Norwegian pioneers Nels and Thora (Vinninglind) Swandal. Her parents were told so often that their new baby was as pretty and as delicate as a wild flower that they christened her Thora Violet. She grew up a hardy tomboy fully embracing ranch life and was eagerly at her father's side helping with the livestock and all the outside chores. She loved horses and riding across the countryside and, with her siblings, she rode to a one-room country school called Antelope which she attended through eighth grade. She graduated from Wilsall High School in 1942 as the class valedictorian. After graduation Violet got her first job at the Billings Gazette as a clerk in the advertising department. Then to aid in the war effort, she and some friends moved to Utah where she hired on as a typist at Hill Air Force Base in Ogden. She returned to Billings and met Frank L. (Andy) Anderson, a returning soldier, and married him there on Dec. 22, 1945. She worked at Pierce Packing until the couple moved to Wilsall, where Andy became a builder and she worked first as a secretary for the school district and later for the community co-op. They had three children, Jeanne, James Douglas and Sonja Lea, before Andy died in a 1964 hunting accident. In 1967 Violet moved her family to Missoula and she worked there as a bookkeeper for the 4B's Restaurants until retiring in 1990. She met Tavy Parker, a Missoula US gypsum salesman, and married him on Aug. 23, 1967 in Idaho. They were married 43 years before his death in 2011. Violet was a soft-spoken women, with a quiet charm and an engaging smile, a very caring heart and a generous and understanding nature. She was dedicated to her Christian faith and gladly served the congregations of Shields River Lutheran in Wilsall and Atonement Lutheran in Missoula. She was a member of Beta Sigma Phi and hosted many sorority gatherings at her home. Later in life she volunteered at the Missoula Senior Citizens' Center. She enjoyed bridge, dancing, traveling and shopping. She had an innate sense of style and always dressed impeccably and had her hair done to perfection. She was also very proud of her Norwegian heritage. But she cherished most just spending time with her children, grandchildren and large extended family. Blessed be her memory. Violet is survived by her: Daughter, Jeanne Devereaux and her husband Henry of Great Falls; Son, James Douglas Anderson of Missoula; Step-children, Alan Parker and his wife Terrie of Winthrop, WA; Lynn Gordon and her husband Frank of Seattle, WA; Jeff Parker of Salmon, ID; Don Parker and his wife Gail of California; Grandchildren, Justin Davis and his wife Karen; Thora Lea Nielsen and her husband Joe; Mark Devereaux and his wife Tiffany; Philip Devereaux; D'Arcy Parker; Great-grandchildren, Markus Devereaux and Mia Devereaux; Sisters, Nordie Lennemann of Wilsall; June Miller of Wilsall; Irene Payne of Post Falls, ID; Sister-in-law, Bonnie Swandal of Wilsall; Many other relatives and friends. Violet is preceded in death by her Parents, Nels and Thora Swandal; Spouses, Frank Anderson and Tavy Parker; Daughter, Sonja Lea Davis; Brothers, Herbert and Austin Swandal; Sisters and brothers-in-law, Margaret (Richard) Saunders and Thelma (John) King; Brothers-in-law, Bernard Lennemann, Bob Payne and Stanley Miller; Niece, Joy Pewonka. Arrangements under the direction of Franzen-Davis Funeral home and Crematory in Livingston.