Violet Eilertson

Date of Birth: Sunday, October 20th, 1929Date of Death: Monday, March 17th, 2014Vi Eilertson was born in Marshall, Minnesota, the only child of Hans and Irene Anderson. During her early years she was an active Girl Scout and when the scouts were involved in a paper drive project she collected paper for miles around and earned enough money to buy a used bike. She also did a lot of babysitting and remembers walking home through the snow and ice of Minnesota winters.During World War II the family spent a year in Los Angeles working in the defense industries and then returned to Minnesota. However, the family was already thinking of moving to the Northwest. Before making the move Vi worked as head cashier at a local movie theater, played in the school band, attended Luther League, and sang in the church choir every Sunday morning.When Vi joined her parents in Salem, Oregon she started a new job and on her first day of work met Don Eilertson from Minneapolis who became her best friend and the love of her life. They were married in 1950. They became parents to three sons: Steve resides in Salem OR, Tom resides in Bend OR, and Doug resides in Ogden UT. Don Eilertson, her husband, was a builder and developer in the Lake Oswego area and he and Vi partnered together in selecting plans, building homes, and Vi was responsible for the dÃ©cor and landscaping.Vi was employed at the White Stag Co. in Portland, OR where her duties were to take dictation from Max Hirsch, President and co-founder of the company. Later after all of her three sons had left home she then worked 15 years for MARCO-Idea Unlimited rising to the position of vice president.Vi has always been an active church member and with three boys is a real sports fan attending all the games to support their teams. She likes to garden and always enjoys meeting her neighbors while out on her daily walks.One of Vi's memories was submitting the winning entry to name the theme for the Clackamas County Fair. She suggested "Best in the West" and Don, Vi, and their grandson rode in the lead car in the parade and the entire family had free admission to all the events. She said her grandson really loved riding in the antique car and waving to all the people. Christmas of 2009 saw Vi being surprised by her family for a family reunion in Phoenix AZ. Most of the family and grandchildren were present and made this Christmas one to be remembered. Vi supported many activities in her neighborhood. The neighbors were fortunate to have Vi as a good neighbor and she felt the same about them.Vi was preceded in death by her husband Don Eilertson. Vi is survived by her loving family: her sons Steve Eilertson and his wife Holly, Tom Eilertson and his wife Candace, and Doug Eilertson. In addition, her grandchildren: Derek Eilertson and his wife Alison, Jon Thomas Eilertson and his wife Jennifer; Kristy Eilertson, Kayla Eilertson, and Easton Eilertson. Vi has one great grandson Jace Thomas Eilertson.Violet Lureen Anderson came into this world October 20th, 1929 and was the only child of Hans and Irene Anderson. Growing up in Marshall, MN, her father owned a variety of business endeavors and consequently the family lived a fairly normal life during the Great Depression.In Vi's early years, she was active in Girl Scouts, employed as a movie theater cashier, played in the school band and enjoyed Luther League and her local Lutheran Church.During the 1940's her parents moved to Los Angeles and assisted with the WWII effort. Her mother was an actual "Rosie the Riveter." While she attended school in Los Angeles, she returned with her parents to Marshall, MN to finish high school. Tiring of the Minnesota winters, her parents took Vi with them to relocate in Salem, Oregon. Vi began working at a local credit bureau and it was there she was introduced to a fellow Minnesotan named Don Eilertson. The two quickly became inseparable and were married July 2, 1950.After the wedding, the two eventually settled in Lake Oswego. Prior to Don joining his father-in-law in the home building business, Vi was employed at the White Stag Corporation in Portland. Eventually Vi quit White Stag and the two of them began designing and building custom homes in 1956.Beginning in 1951 their first child, Steve, was born, two sons followed. Tom, who lives in Bend and Goodyear, AZ and Doug who lives in Ogden, Utah. After Doug finished high school, Vi returned to work and joined Marco Ideas Unlimited in Tigard. Vi was the Executive Vice President of Operations when she retired in the 1990's.Both Don and Vi eventually retired to Charbonneau in Wilsonville. They both enjoyed golfing, bowling and being active in the community. Don passed away in 2005. Vi is survived by Steve and his wife Holly, Tom and his wife Candace, and Dough Eilertson. In addition, she is survived by her grandson Derek Eilertson and his wife Alison, Jon Eilertson and his wife Jennifer, granddaughters Kristy and Kayla Eilertson and great grandson Easton Eilertson. Vi also is survived by great grandson Jace Thomas Eilertson.

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Violet Eilertson

October 20, 1929 - March 17, 2014