Date of Birth:
Sunday, October 30, 1927
Date of Death:
Sunday, January 28, 2024
Age:
96 years old

Viola Marie Reiland

Viola “Vi” Marie (Ziegenfuss) Reiland, age 96, of Rochester, passed away peacefully with family at her bedside on Sunday, January 28, 2024, at Madonna Benedictine House Memory Care.

Vi was born October 30, 1927, the daughter of John and Martha (Schultz) Ziegenfuss in Winona, MN. After graduating from Cathedral High School in Winona in 1945, Vi attended the College of St. Theresa in Winona, and graduated in 1949 with a degree in Math/Business. After graduation, Vi moved to Washington D.C., where she worked in the Registrar’s Office at Catholic University.  She later moved back home and worked as a secretary at Millers Waste in Winona.

On New Year’s Eve, December 31, 1948, Vi’s life changed forever. She met the future love of her life, James “Eddie” Edward Reiland, on a “blind date” that Eddie’s brother had arranged.  They fell in love and were married on July 15, 1950, and made their home in Rochester, where they raised eight children. Prior to starting a family, Vi worked briefly as a secretary for the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in Rochester. After her children had grown, she also worked at Crenlo in the accounting department.  Vi worked tirelessly as a homemaker for many years while supporting her children and husband in all their activities.

Vi was a very active member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church. Her faith was the cornerstone of how she lived life. She was a volunteer for many organizations. These included: Meals on Wheels, Food Response, Channel One, St. Anthony’s Rosary Group at St. Francis Parish, St. Mary’s Auxiliary, and St. Mary’s Gift Shop. She knitted many prayer shawls and sewed numerous chemo and cranium caps to be donated to patients at St. Mary’s Hospital.  Vi’s hobbies included knitting, sewing, reading, traveling, and watching and attending Minnesota Twins games. She loved spending time with family and friends.

Vi is survived by her children, Steve Reiland, Rochester; Dave (Terri) Reiland, Durand, WI; Judy (John) Wittenberger, Rochester; Carol (Kim) Clarey, Rochester; Bill (Cindy) Reiland, Rochester; Dan (Barb) Reiland, Eau Claire, WI; and Gary (Becky) Reiland, Rochester. She also leaves 18 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. Her grandchildren are: Kati (Zach) Longsdorf, Lisa (Eric) Arkowski, Matt Reiland, Liana Reiland, Eric (Stacy) Marquardt, Sarah (Sean) Allen, Adam (Jess) Marquardt, Chadd (Laura) Clarey, Ryan (Steph) Clarey, Mark (Morgan) Clarey, Christine (Kevin) Kallas, Steph Reiland, Tyler Reiland, Alec Reiland, Laura Reiland, Lindsey Reiland, Julia Reiland, and Benjamin Reiland. She is also survived by two sisters-in-law, Elaine Ziegenfuss, Madison, WI; and Catherine Reiland, Rochester.

Preceding her in death were her husband Eddie, infant son, Peter Reiland, and siblings, Dorothy Ziegenfuss, Marion Ziegenfuss, Alvin Ziegenfuss, Lucille Ramey, Elliott Ziegenfuss, and Harold Ziegenfuss.

Visitation for Vi will be on Saturday, February 17, 2024, from 9:30 am to 11:00 am, prior to the funeral at St. Francis.

The funeral Mass will be at 11;00 am, Saturday, February 17, 2024, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church.

Macken Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. To share a condolence or memory of Vi with family, please visit www.mackenfuneralhome.com.

Vi’s family would like to extend a special thank you to the dedicated staff at Madonna Benedictine House Memory Care, and Seasons Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, or Season’s Hospice in Rochester.