Viola Weiss

Viola M. "Odie" Weiss passed away Sunday, July 10, 2016, at the Assisted Living Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau.

She was born Nov. 27, 1928, in Cape Girardeau to George and Ruby Koerber and was raised on her parents' dairy farm north of Cape Girardeau.

She attended Cape Girardeau schools and was a graduate of the former College High School on the campus of Southeast Missouri State College.

She and Norman H. Weiss were married April 24, 1949, in Cape Girardeau. Three children were born to their union. Together they raised them on the Weiss family farm north of Cape Girardeau, down what Odie described as a "pig path," which later was developed into Highway W.

Carolyn, their youngest child, was afflicted with juvenile diabetes. Viola, as many other mothers can associate, fought like a tiger to protect her daughter, provide her with as normal a life as possible and seek proper medical treatment. Sadly, at the young age of 17, Carolyn predeceased her family.

Viola was baptized and confirmed at Hanover Lutheran Church in Cape Girardeau. She was a lifelong, faithful member of the church and its Ladies Aid and served as chairman of the building committee when the new kitchen, church offices and classrooms were added in 1991. Viola knew Christ, and Christ knew her, as she and Norman were blessed with a long marriage that took them on many adventures together.

Viola worked on the family farm alongside her soul mate, Norman. Her work on the farm included canning the abundant produce from her large vegetable garden that was the envy of the neighborhood. One of her favorite accomplishments was introducing "Koerber food," also known as asparagus, to the Weiss family farm. She also oversaw a flock of 500 laying hens so she could have "egg money" to spend on her family.

Naturally, Viola was a wonderful cook. When her family was working in the hot summer sun hauling hay, Viola labored over a hot stove to provide homemade doughnuts and lemonade. She was once featured in the Southeast Missourian for her delicious homemade breads. In other words, she lived to serve and enjoyed every minute of it.

Viola worked at the former Northland Hills Orchard north of Cape Girardeau and at a former Cape Girardeau flower shop. She volunteered many years with the Ladies Auxiliary at Southeast Hospital, was a member of a University of Missouri Homemakers Club and volunteered at the SEMO District Fair.

Loving survivors include two sons: Michael W. (Debbie) Weiss of Seguin, Texas, and his children, Elizabeth Weiss of Tyler, Texas, and Jarrett Weiss of Cape May, New Jersey, and Chris N. (Lesa) Weiss of Jackson and his children, Jennifer (Dustin) Richardson and her daughter, Marie Richardson; Andrew Weiss and Abigail Weiss, all of Jackson; and a sister, Julia (Bill) Hoffmeister of Cape Girardeau.

She was preceded in death by her husband and daughter.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson and from 10:30 a.m. to service time Thursday at Hanover Lutheran Church in Cape Girardeau.

The funeral will be at 11:30 a.m. Thursday at the church, with the Rev. Tony Kobak and Vicar Samuel Thole officiating.

Burial will follow at Cape County Memorial Park Cemetery in Cape Girardeau.

The family suggests memorials to Hanover Lutheran Church.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting mccombsfuneralhome.com.