Obit: Golz, Violet J. “Vi” (1934 – 2023)

Transcriber: Stan

Surnames: Golz, Hoge, Weise, Thurs, Mordeel, Heier, Koeller, Schwalenberg

----Source: Tribune/Phonograph (Abbotsford, Clark Co., Wis.) 15 Feb 2023

Golz, Violet J. “Vi” (30 Aug 1934 – 5 Feb 2023)

Violet “Vi” J. Golz, 88, of Colby, passed away peacefully in her sleep and met her Lord and Savior on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2023, at The Waterford at Colby under the care of ProMedica Hospice.

She was born on August 30, 1934, in Athens to the late Edward and Esther (Weise) Hoge. Vi grew up on the family farm and graduated from Athens High School. She met the love of her life and future partner in ministry, Roland Golz, when he took his first teaching job in Athens. They were married June 2, 1956, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Athens. Through the years, they would relocate often as Roland taught at several schools and later continued his education to become a minister. In 2021, they had the honor of celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary together.

In their early years of marriage, Vi held various secretarial jobs while Roland taught school in Athens, New Albany, Ind., Wausau and Stevens Point. Vi was also a secretary at one of the largest hospitals in Illinois at that time while Roland studied to become a pastor in Springfield. Roland took his first minister position at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Dorchester in 1973. Vi passionately took on various duties pertaining to Roland’s ministry. In 1982 Vi and Roland moved to Bonduel to serve at St. Paul Lutheran Church. In 1993 they moved to Gresham where together they served several small congregations.

At each church, Vi was instrumental in supporting the ministry by serving on the Altar Guild and Ladies Aid. She also lent her talents to creating the weekly bulletin, making quilts, and singing in each congregation’s choir. Over the years, Vi also expanded her own religious outreach through years of involvement with Lutheran Women’s Ministry League (LWML). She held various offices which included vice president and president of the LWMLNorth Wisconsin District. Also, near to Vi’s heart was her time volunteering for the LCMS Thrift Store in Shawano. She was honored to receive the Humana Community Quarterback award from the Green Bay Packers and their CEO, Mark Murphy, for the more than 25 years she devoted to the store. The community, her family, and many friends were very proud of her accomplishment. Throughout her life, Violet’s family was always a priority. She made the most delicious meals and baked goods. Her vegetable gardens, berry patches and flower beds were the envy of many. Her family and friends were the recipients of countless jars of home canned goods. Roland and Vi were always happiest at home but were blessed to take a church sponsored journey to the Holy Land and also enjoyed a Caribbean cruise. Vi had a love for their pets, as you were almost certain to be greeted by a cat or dog when visiting their home. In 2018, they moved back to Dorchester where they would be closer to family and entertained by their children’s and grandchildren’s many pets.

Survivors include her husband, Rev. Roland Golz of Colby; children: Rick (Carolyn) Golz of Dorchester and Randy (Renee) Golz of Little Chute; grandchildren: Neilana Golz (Logan), Leanna Golz (Jordan), Taylor (Sara) Golz, Tanner Golz, Tallon Golz, Marina Mordeel and James (Brianna) Mordeel; great-grandchildren: Paisley and Brynlee; sister, Luann Thurs of Athens; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Esther Hoge; sisters: Norma Heier and Nila Koeller; and brothers-in-law: Gordon Thurs, Sylvester Heier and Frank Koeller.

A memorial service will be held at noon on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Athens, with Rev. Mark Schwalenberg presiding. Visitation will begin at 10:30 a.m. until the time of service at the church. Immediately following the service, lunch will be served. Burial will be in the Athens Cemetery at a later date. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.  

The family would like to thank the staff of The Waterford at Colby, Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services, and ProMedica Hospice for the care Violet received.