Violet Hazel McAllister, 95, Valley City, ND (formerly of Oriska, ND) passed away at CHI Mercy Health on November 6, 2021 with her family by her side and her beloved rosary firmly in her hand. She was a beloved mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She gave everyone in her family the gift of unconditional love and had a kind word and smile for everyone.

Vi was born on February 26, 1926 to Ole and Ellen (Barman) Reberg at their home near Hastings, ND. She grew up on the family farm during the depression and told of swarms of grasshoppers eating their crops and witnessing dust storms so heavy they couldn't see the barn. She graduated from Hastings High School in 1943. She worked at the Royal Café and Woolworth's Store in Valley City. In 1945, Vi and a friend took the bus to Minneapolis where they worked at Western Electric Telephone inspecting phone dials. This was very brave for two farm girls who had never been more than 20 miles from home.  The following year she moved back to Valley City and worked for Herman Stern, the owner of Straus Clothing.

Vi married Earl James McAllister on September 16, 1949 at St. Catherine Catholic Church in Valley City. They moved to the family farm north of Oriska, ND where they raised their six children. Vi was kept busy chasing kids, cooking, baking, cleaning and keeping books for the farm. Anyone stopping by the farm, including salesmen and delivery people would get a cup of coffee and a plate of cookies.  Earl and Vi rarely missed any events that their kids and grandkids were involved in.  They were faithful members of St. Bernard Catholic Church in Oriska and spent many years working on cemetery upkeep. Earl and Vi were married 64 years when Earl passed away in 2014. Vi was living on her own at 95 years old, until she fell and moved to Legacy Assisted Living in July of this year.

Those left behind to cherish her memory are her six children: Jim (Bev) of Sanborn, ND; Bob of Valley City; Debbie (Joel) Peterson of Fargo; Connie (Larry) Ochsner of Glyndon, MN; Lori (Pete) Paulson of Valley City and Rick (Wendy) of Devils Lake.  She will be greatly missed by her 14 surviving grandchildren: Kris (John) Ehlis, Jay (Laura) McAllister, Tim (Jessica) Peterson; Eric (Alicia) Wolfgram, Nick (Arielle) Peterson, Dan (Nikki) Peterson, Charles Ochsner, Jake (Emily) Ochsner, Tom (Heidi) Paulson, Katie (Isaac) Olson; Ricky Paulson, Jenessa McAllister, Taylor (Michael) Sherman and Colton McAllister. She is also survived by 18 great-grandchildren: Erin (Evan) Wood, Emily Ehlis, Leah Ehlis, Kayla Ehlis, Paige McAllister, Tyler McAllister, Jason McAllister, Layne Peterson, Vaira Peterson, Sloan Peterson, Freddie Peterson, Lennon Peterson, Abby Paulson, Carter Paulson, Grace Paulson, Amelia Paulson, Theo Olson and Michaela Sherman.

Those welcoming Vi home are her husband, Earl and their precious granddaughter, Sara Elizabeth, her parents Ole & Ellen, sister Dorothy Thoreson and brothers, Art, Erling and Jerry.

Vi's family would like to thank the staff at Legacy Assisted Living and CHI Mercy Health for their loving care.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Ronald McDonald House (RMH) of Fargo or the St. Bernard Cemetery Fund.

Visitation will be held at St. Bernard Catholic Church, Oriska, ND on Friday, November 12 ^th from 5 to 7 PM. There will be praying of the Rosary at 5:00 and the prayer vigil will begin at 7:00. Funeral services will be held at St. Catherine Catholic Church in Valley City, ND at 10:30 AM on Saturday, November 13 ^th . Violet will be laid to rest at St. Bernard Catholic Cemetery in Oriska. Funeral arrangements by Lerud-Schuldt-Mathias Funeral Home in Valley City.