Viola Hartley, age 92, of White, South Dakota, died Thursday, June 25, 2009, at the Dougherty Hospice, Sioux Falls, South Dakota. A celebration of Violas life will be held 10:30 A.M. Saturday, June 27, 2009, at the United Methodist Church in White. Weather permitting, those able are encouraged to join the family in walking to the interment at Fairview Cemetery.

Viola Mickelson was born in Garretson, South Dakota, on September 2, 1916, to Louis and Pearl (Pittman) Mickelson. Viola was the fourth of eight children so she learned early on to be independent, strong, and focused, characteristics that served her well for her nearly 93 years.

The summer before Violas fourth birthday, the Mickelson family moved to Bushnell, SD, where her father established the Bushnell Garage and built a home nearby. Viola was educated in the Bushnell School, while experiencing the Great Depression and massive dust storms.

Viola married Robert Davis on April 6, 1940, in Rock Rapids, Iowa. They farmed for one year in Sherman Township before Bob Davis became the Standard Oil Agent for White. The business thrived but Bob sold it in 1943, when he joined the Navy Sea Bees for the duration of the Pacific War. Upon his return, Bob served as postmaster in White until 1951. Viola began working in the White post office in 1952 and retired with 25 years of service in 1977. Bob Davis died on March 10, 1961.

On January 19, 1964, Viola married Robert Hartley. Bob and Viola remodeled Bobs home at 404 S. Hooker the following summer and Viola resided there until her death. She loved the gardens and plantings and freely shared the bounty of her green thumb. Bob Hartley died on December 18, 1991.

Viola was involved in many community organizations over her lifetime in Bushnell and White. However, she was particularly proud of her 63 years of service in the American Legion Auxiliary. At the time of her death, she was the oldest member of the White United Methodist Church.

Viola leaves two sons, Michael Davis and his wife Dee of San Jose, California, and Steven Davis and his wife Nancy of Chester, Vermont, and one step-son, Gary Hartley, of Brookings. She took great joy in her grandchildren: Bryon, Aaron and Melissa Davis, and her step-grandchild, Joey Molina.

In the mid-1960, Viola came into possession of the Bushnell school bell via her brother-in-law Willis Robbins. She wanted the bell returned to Bushnell upon her death. To that end, memorial monies will be used to erect a platform in the Bushnell Park for the bell (across the street from the home where Viola was raised).