Viola Spurgat

Viola was born as the seventh child of Claus and Augusta, nee Merkins, Erhorn on May 15, 1909 on the family farm in Nunica, Michigan. She was baptized at St. Luke Lutheran Church. She attended school through eighth grade in Nunica. She was confirmed at St. Luke. In her teen years she assisted her mother on the farm with the many household chores of a large dairy farm family.

During her years on the family farm she shared her life and duties with her siblings, Anna, Lena, Matilda, John, and Cora. Her sister, Amanda, went to her heavenly home at an early age, followed by her sister Emma.

While in her twenties she moved to Grand Haven to serve several families as their household assistant. During those years she became an active member of the Walther League. This participation eventually led to a major change in Viola’s life. Another active member of the Walther League, Ed Spurgat, had met her at a rally, and thought that she might make a good housekeeper for his brother, who recently had become a widower and was raising his two children. So, after her consent, a meeting was arranged between Viola and August Spurgat. After Viola agreed to become his housekeeper, she moved to Grand Rapids. About a year later Viola and August were married on June 30, 1938, and Viola immediately became the mother of Frances and Frederick Spurgat.

This marriage was blessed with three children, Carolyn, born December 21, 1939, Marlene, born June 10, 1942, and MaryAlice, born on May 20, 1947.

In October, 1942 the family moved to a larger home on Brownwood Ave west of Grand Rapids, later to become a part of Grand Rapids through annexation. This move presented new challenges to the family, as the house, while considerably larger, had fallen into some disrepair and needed some major repairs. This was no easy task at this time as World War II was at a peak and the shortage of materials and labor, coupled with the long hours and seven work day weeks for August working at the power plant at American Seating Company, now producing products for the war effort.

About the time the rehabilitation of the house was completed a tornado struck on April 6, 1956, requiring the family to live in the basement while the house was remodeled as a part of the complete rebuilding due to the damage.

After recovery from this experience her life at this time was filled with raising her family, vegetable gardening, and canning fresh fruits and vegetables, and cooking and baking. Viola will always be remembered for her delicious pot roast and chicken dinners. She enjoyed fishing and preparing fish dinners with her husband.

Throughout Viola’s life her relationship to God has played a prominent role in her life and activities. She was in church every Sunday possible. Her prayer life was evident. Her nurturing of her children according to the principles of Christian living permeated her guidance and direction of her children, together with her husband.

With the birth of MaryAlice, Viola and August faced a new test in parenting a disadvantaged daughter. Viola devoted her life during these years to the development of MaryAlice and supporting her as she faced special challenges. MaryAlice lived with her parents until 1994, when she began the transition into a group home type of living. Viola was no longer able to show her the attention and support that she had been providing.

Also during the decade ending in 1966 Viola cared for her father-in-law, William Spurgat, who lived with them in his later years until his death in March, 1966. Viola cared for him in the home until the end with her usual love and attention.

In the declining years of her husband, August, Viola also dedicated herself to the continuous, constant care that he required in his failing health until he died at home on March 21, 1990.

In the latter part of her eighties Viola moved to Luther Village in Grand Rapids. In April 1999 she moved to Wesbury, a Christian nursing home in Meadville, Pennsylvania, to be near her daughter Marlene, who faithfully watched over her care and welfare. It was at Wesbury where the staff began to know her for her humor and resilience. It was there that she passed away on March 18, 2008.

Viola is survived by children Frederick (Eunice) of Oak Park, Illinois, Frances (the late Roderick) Benson of Tomah (Oakdale), Wisconsin, Carolyn (the late Louis) Meyer of Glendale, Arizona, Marlene (the late Les) McClelland of Espyville Station, Pennsylvania, and MaryAlice of Lowell, Michigan, and her sister Cora (the late Ernest) Kolberg of Grand Haven, Michigan.

Her children remain ever grateful for her Christian nurturing of their early lives, her dedication to their sister MaryAlice, and her faithfulness until the end in supporting and caring for their father and grandfather until they went to their heavenly home. Frances and Fred are especially thankful for being taken in with a special love when they were motherless at the tender ages of three and seven.

Her family looks forward with Christian confidence to being with her again in life eternal before our awesome God, through the merits of our Savior Jesus Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit.

"I heard a voice from heaven say, "Write this: Blessed are the dead, who die in the Lord from now on." "Yes, said the Spirit, "let them find rest from their labors, for their works accompany them."

Revelation 14:13