Viola Anne (Alber) Heinrich

Viola A. Heinrich, 92, of Hastings, Nebraska, formerly of Roseland, died April 14, 2019 at College View Assisted Living, in Hastings.  Services are Thursday, April 18, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Blue Hill, Nebraska with Pastor Leah Krotz officiating. Burial will be at the Blue Hill Cemetery in Blue Hill.  Visitation will be Wednesday April 17, 2019 from 9:00 a.m. to 8 p.m. with family present from 6-8 p.m. at Merten-Butler Mortuary in Blue Hill and one hour prior to services at the church. Memorials can be directed to the church, the American Legion Auxiliary or to the donor’s choice.  Private condolences may be sent to the family at www.mertenbutlermortuary.com.  Merten-Butler Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. 

            Viola was born on November 16, 1926 to William and Marie (Meents) Alber in rural Webster County, Nebraska.  She attended K-8 country school in the Webster County community of Elm Creek and graduated from Blue Hill High School in 1944.  Viola taught elementary school in two rural Webster County schools. On December 26, 1946, she married Raymond N. Heinrich in Blue Hill, Nebraska. She was a 49-year member of the American Legion Auxiliary units in Holstein and Lawrence, having held the offices of President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Sergeant at Arms, and Jr. Activities Chairman, Adams County President and Vice President; Historian, Vice President, and President at the District 10 and Nebraska Department levels as well as numerous Chairmanships.  She also served as National Executive Committee-woman in 1993-94.  In 1988, Viola and her husband served on an advisory committee for Veteran Affairs in Washington D.C. under Sens. David Karnes, Dan Quayle, Bob Dole, and John McCain. Viola was a faithful advocate for service to the Veterans and enjoyed volunteering at the Nebraska Veterans Home in Grand Island. She also served as a 4-H leader for 30 years.  She was a life-long member of St. Paul Lutheran Church where she served as a Sunday School teacher and on various auxiliary organizations.

Viola is survived by one son Larry (Denise) Heinrich of Roseland, three daughters, Linda (Steve) Stutesman, of Hastings, Lois (Chuck) Janssen, of Juniata, and Nancy (Mike) Schroeder of Kenesaw, one daughter-in-law, Glenda (Jerry) Shaw of Blue Hill, one sister-in-law Myrtis Alber of Blue Hill; 12 grandchildren, and 22 great-grandchildren.  Viola is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Raymond, one son, Rodney Heinrich; granddaughter Melissa Heinrich, three brothers, Donald, Harold, and Lester Alber.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Viola Anne (Alber) Heinrich, please visit our floral store.