Viola Melby Bergh, 98, died March 26, 2011, at her home in Freedom Living Center, Oklee, MN where she had resided since May, 2010, with many of her children and grandchildren at her side.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, April 1, 2011 at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Oklee, MN with Father Chuck Huck presiding. Burial will follow at St. Francis Cemetery in Oklee, MN.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM with a 7:00 PM prayer service on Thursday, March 31, 2011 at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Oklee. Visitation will also be held one hour prior to the service on Friday.

Viola was born in a log cabin near Brooks, MN to Lou and Georgianna (LaCoursiere) Berry. When she was a small child the family moved to Oklee where Viola attended school and graduated from Oklee High School in 1931.

She worked at various jobs including the Red Lake County Auditors office in Red Lake Falls. She was married to Orrin Melby in 1938. Ten children were born to them. Orrin died in 1960. Vi worked as a waitress at the Oklee Recreation Center and for Dr. H.T. Lindquist until 1975 when she married Alfred Bergh of Trail. They lived on his farm for a few years and then purchased a home in Oklee. Alfred died in 1985.

Vi was a member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church and was active in the Guild. She enjoyed reading, baking, cooking and started piano lessons at the age of 80. She loved to visit with people and make them feel good.

Survivors include 10 children: Allan (Ardythe) of Clover, SC, David (Gloria) of Sun City West, AZ and St. Cloud, MN, Susan (Cal) Harmoning of Red Lake Falls, MN, Richard (Judy) and Michael (Susan) of Thief River Falls, Mary (Don) Rindahl of Grygla, MN, Robert (Phyllis) of Oklee, MN, Rebecca (Dale) Svaren of Twin Valley, MN, Carolyn (Roy) Rystad and John (Lori) of Oklee. Also surviving are 28 grandchildren; 52 great grandchildren; 2 sisters-in-law, Iona Berry of Oklee, MN and Bernice Melby of Grass Valley, CA; and many other relatives and friends.

Viola was preceded in death by her parents; both husbands; 1 grandson; 3 brothers, Ray, Leo and Jerry Berry and 2 sisters, Delores Berry and Aribelle Taylor.

Family condolences may be sent at www.johnsonfuneralservice.com

Casketbearers: All of Violas sons