Funeral Service 11:00 AM, Tuesday, March 29, 2011 First Presbyterian Church Castlewood, South Dakota Rev. Terry Drew, Officiating Interment Castlewood Cemetery Visitation 5PM to 8PM Monday at Geise Funeral Chapel in Castlewood Violet Elizabeth Somsen was born December 28, 1921 near Castlewood, to Harvey and Elizabeth (Kallemyn) Somsen. Shortly after Violet's birth, her mother died, and Violet was raised by her loving grandparents, John and Lena Somsen. Violet loved and showed passion for her family, her education, her duty and service to her country, and her faith. She graduated from Castlewood High School in 1939 and received a two-year teaching certificate from Dakota Wesleyan University in 1941. Violet taught for a year and a half at Argonne, SD, but after World War II broke out, Violet joined the Womens Army Corps. She worked her way up from the rank of Private to Sgt. First Class in charge of a Company of Womens Army Corps Privates who were sent overseas to the Philippine Islands and New Guinea. At times, Violet's Company was as close as 10 miles from the front lines of the American Forces. After the Japanese surrendered, Violet and her Company were sent to Japan. One of Violet's fondest memories of Japan was her opportunity to climb Mt. Fuji. After the war, Violet re-enlisted in the Army and served in Korea and at several bases in the United States for the next 12 years. She received numerous medals from the Army including the Army Commendation For Service In The Asiatic Pacific, WW II Victory Medal, and two Bronze Stars. In 1962, Vi returned to South Dakota and earned her Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Southern State Teachers College in Springfield. She taught at Spencer, SD for one year before moving to Elk Point and committing the next 21 years to teaching and enriching the lives of 3rd graders and assisting the girls basketball coach. After her retirement from teaching, she returned to Castlewood and enjoyed spending time with her sisters, Gladys Haug and Donna Raasch, and her sister-in-law, Phyllis Somsen, and their families. Violet entered the Estelline Nursing and Care Center in 2008 and died there on Thursday, March 24, 2011 at the age of 89 years. She stayed active in church, community, school sports activities as well as substitute teaching, and tutoring local students. As a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Castlewood, she served as an Elder of the Church. She was also a member of the South Dakota Education Association, Life member of the American Legion Auxiliary, American legion Post 250, a charter member of the Women's Memorial Foundation for the World War II Memorial. Survivors include her sisters, Gladys Haug of Estelline, SD, Donna (Bob) Raasch of Castlewood, SD; sister-in-law Delores Somsen of Sarasota, FL; cousins Sandy (Robert) Dotseth of Knapp, Wi, Barbara Pedersen of Othello, WA, her dear friend of many years Delores Vondrak of Sioux City, IA, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and grandparents and two brothers, Harold and Earl, her brother-in-law Floyd Haug, and sister-in-law Phyllis Somsen.