VIOLA (RIEL) PAYMENT, 85, Erskine, MN formerly of Oklee, MN died on Saturday, November 14, 1998 at Pioneer memorial Home in Erskine where she had resided for 7 ½ years.

Mass of Christian burial will be held on Wednesday, November 18, 1998 at 2:00 PM in St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Oklee with Father Joe Richards Officiating. Burial will be held in the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Cemetery near Oklee.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to services at the church on Wednesday Only.

Viola Riendeau was born September 11, 1913 at Oklee, MN daughter of Phil and Permila (Gauthier) Riendeau where she was raised and attended school. On November 3, 1932 she was married to George Riel in Oklee, MN. In 1941 she moved with her family to Iowa where her husband worked in a defense factory. They returned to the Oklee Area and farmed there for many years. Her husband George died in 1963. On December 9, 1972 she was married to John Payment. He passed away in 1981. Viola lived most of her life in the Oklee area. She worked for OMC as a seamstress. She enjoyed quilting, traveling, camping and her many friends. She has resided at the Pioneer Memorial home in Erskine, MN the past 7 ½ years.

Viola is survived by her son Richard Riel (Marilyn) of Oklee, MN; daughter Yvonne Keefe (Dan) of Thief River Falls, MN; six grandsons and four granddaughters, 21 great-grandchildren: one sister Agnes Marks of East Grand Forks, MN and two sisters in law Margie Riendeau of Grand Rapids, MN and Celina Riel of Thief River Falls, MN.

She is preceded in death by her parents, three brothers Elmer, Wilbert and Ernest; two sisters Mabel and Amanda.

ORGANIST: Barb Melby
VOCALIST: Joan Bronken
CASKET BEARERS: All of Violas grandchildren and great-grandchildren