Viola I. Korby

Viola I. Korby, 91, of Esko, died Monday, November 1, 2011 in Barnes Care Assisted Living, Esko. Viola "Vi" was born May 18, 1920 in Thomson Township, the youngest daughter of Henry and Hilma Lahti. She was baptized and confirmed in the faith at St. Matthews Lutheran Church, Esko, where she remained a member for her entire life. Vi married John E. Korby on May 11, 1940 in Esko and they raised three children. As a young woman, Vi sang on the radio in Duluth on Sunday afternoons with Famous Lashua, the singing cowboy. Viola worked for several years at Diamond Match in Cloquet. She loved to read, make hook rugs, travel with friends, and make people laugh. Vi was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, John; two sons, Arnold and Raymond Korby; two brothers, George and Raymond Lahti; and four sisters, Florence Pera, Ida Nyheim, Linda Eckholm and Elna Lundin. She is survived by her daughter, Lynda (Dennis) Nordstrom of Esko; daughter-in-law, Diane Korby George; grandsons, Tory Nordstrom and Todd (Sarah) Nordstrom of Scottsdale, AZ, Chad A.K. (Nicolle) George of Evanston, WY and David Korby of Duluth; one granddaughter, Marlys Hoffman of Coon Rapids; five great grandchildren, Ava, Lila, and Jonah Nordstrom, Nick (Kim) Hoffman and Jessica Hoffman; two great great grandchildren, Alexis and Kayleigh and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Funeral Services were held on Saturday, November 5, 2011, in St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, Esko. Burial was in St. Matthew's Lutheran Cemetery. Memorials may be made to St. Matthew's Lutheran Church Memorial Fund.