Violetta Wonser

Vi Wonser, 97, Grand Marais, died Sunday, September 21, 2014 in the Cook County North Shore Care Center.

She was born November 10, 1916 to Christian and Ida (Voth) Korntved in Unity, Wisconsin. Her father moved to Grand Marais in 1921 after working on the gravel Highway 61 near Hovland. Vi first came to Grand Marais to visit her dad on August 10, 1934 and stayed three weeks. While attending business school in Minneapolis she lived with her sister Mona and brother-in-law Maynard Goutcher, and returned to Grand Marais to visit each summer for five years. In 1935 she worked at Rustic Inn and in '36 and '37 worked at Chik Wauk on the Gunflint Trail.

Vi married Gordon Wonser on December 6, 1939 in Dubuque, Iowa, and they lived in Milwaukee until moving to Grand Marais in 1941. Vi and Gordon owned and operated Northern Cleaners and Laundry beginning in 1946, and after Gordon's death in 1970, Vi continued to operate the business until 1981.

Vi was an active member of First Congregational Church, charter member of the Grand Marais Lionesses, and the Garden Club. She enjoyed bowling, curling, card games with the Nifty Nineties group, animals, and flowers. She also treasured many friendships.

Vi was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Gordon; and a granddaughter, Allison Olmsted.

She is survived by her daughters, Marjorie (Richard) Olmsted and Bonnie (Galen) Kabe; grandchildren, Christine Olmsted, Jason (Julie) Kabe, and Jody (Lynn) Knopp; five great-grandchildren; a nephew, John (Shirley) Goutcher; and niece Jean (Gary) Blosberg.

Visitation will be from 1 PM until the 2 PM service on Saturday September 27, 2014 at First Congregational Church in Grand Marais. Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery. Memorials preferred to First Congregational Church or Harbor Park Memorial Plaque.