Violet Irene Desjarlais, of Wolf Point, MT, passed away peacefully on April 28, 2022, surrounded by her family at the Eagle Cliff Manor in Billings, MT.
Violet was born in Fort Totten, North Dakota, February 25, 1935, to John and Mary Miller. Violet was an enrolled member of the Spirit Lake Nation of Fort Totten, North Dakota. She attended Fort Totten High School and graduated in 1953. In 1954, Violet married Francis Richard Dionne and moved to Wolf Point in 1955 and had seven beloved children.
She met the love of her life Gordon Desjarlais in 1966 and were married June 9, 1967. They celebrated 48 years of marriage. Gordan passed away on July 13, 2015.
Some of Violet’s special interests were sewing pillows. She created her own unique pattern for star pillows and were shared throughout the United States, some going as far away as Russia. She loved taking pictures of family and her pictures were well organized in photo albums. She was an avid sports enthusiast and loved to discuss with her grandchildren her favorite sports of basketball, figure skating and tennis. Her favorite NBA team was the Lakers, and her favorite player was Kobe Bryant. She would discuss basketball stats with her grandchildren.
She is survived by her children Janice Moran (Stanley), Rick Dionne, Sr. (Maureen), Connie Stump (Steve), Susan Dionne, Sandra Lewis (Kenny), Brenda McClammy (Willis), Jeff Dionne (Lauren). She has 21 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her three sisters, Joanne, Jackie, Janice and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews and close friends, sister Ann, Kathy Brien, and Steve Yellowrobe.
She loved her family dearly and she will be greatly missed.
A viewing will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., with the funeral service to follow at 1:00 p.m., on Friday, May 6, 2022 at the Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel in Wolf Point, Montana. Interment will follow at Greenwood Cemetery in Wolf Point.
Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel has been entrusted with arrangements. Condolences for the family may be left using the form below.