Viola Marie (Johs) Leier, 87, of Linton, ND, passed away peacefully October 21, 2023 at the Linton Hospital with her family at her side. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, October 27, 2023, at 10:30 AM at St. Anthony's Catholic Church, Linton. Visitation will be on Thursday, October 26, 2023 at St. Anthony's Catholic Church from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. A Rosary and Prayer Service will follow at 7:00 PM. Burial will be at St. Anthony's Cemetery. A livestream of Viola's funeral service will be available on the funeral home website.

Viola was born on April 5, 1936 in Napoleon, ND to Andrew and Mary Ann (Schmidt) Johs at the Logan County, ND farm home of Mrs. Johanna Johs, her grandmother. She was the second of nine children. She grew up on her parent's farm located south of Napoleon where she learned her strong work ethic. Viola was a German speaker when she began attending a one-room township school. She enjoyed school, but was needed at home after eighth grade.

On June 27, 1956, Viola married Chris Leier at St. Boniface Catholic Church, Kintyre, where both of their families were members. They lived with his parents until April 1959 when they purchased a cattle and grain farm 16 miles northeast of Linton. They raised their 11 children in the St. Michael's area of Emmons County. In October of 2003, they moved to Linton. Viola enjoyed more opportunities to play cards with friends and to care for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren who could walk to her house from school.

Viola could quickly plan and cook meals for her large family and there was always room at the table for one more. She always had cookies in the cookie jar and a bucket of kuchen in the freezer. Her family enjoyed her baked goods and canned fruits and vegetables, which she grew in her large gardens. She cherished the "Leier Family Cookbook," a compilation of her children and grandchildren's favorite recipes.

People and social connections were important to Viola. She used Facebook to keep tabs on family and friends, and when she was unable to attend family events, including a recent wedding, she attended virtually. Viola enjoyed teaching, reading, fixing puzzles, and playing board and card games. As a 4-H leader, she taught many children in the St. Michael's area how to cook, bake, garden, and sew. She was proud that the Leier family was a "100-year 4-H family" based on her years as a 4-H leader and her children's years as members.

Viola was a long-term member of many community organizations such as the Linton Senior Citizens, Linton Chamber of Commerce, Emmons County Farmer's Union, Emmons County Farm Bureau, and North Dakota Stockman's Association. She practiced her Catholic faith and was willing to share her religious wisdom. She was a member of Catholic Order of Foresters and the Christian Mother's Altar Societies at St. Michael's and St. Anthony's.

The family would like to thank the staffs at the Linton and CHI St. Alexius Hospitals for their excellent care which allowed her to share stories, wisdom, and joking around just a little longer.

Viola is survived by her husband, Chris, of 67 years; children: Kevin (Deb), Linton; Glenn, Portland, OR; Marv (Cindy), Grand Forks; Karen (Shawn) Halladay, Salt Lake City, UT; Doreen (Rick) Scherr, Great Falls, MT; Laura (Jamie) Risovi, New Rockford; Richard (Deanne), West Fargo; Francis (Barb), Fargo; Brian, Linton; and Jodi (Ryan) Hulm, Linton; siblings: Hilbert (Kathleen) Johs, Perry (Carol) Johs, Sally (Jerry) Feist, Joe (friend Dorothy) Johs, Al (Mary) Johs, and Myron Johs; her in-laws: Barbara Leier, Tony and Alvera Leier, and Carl and Jolene Leier; and aunt: Sally Johs. She is also survived by 26 grandchildren and 28 great grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents Andrew and Mary Ann Johs, her in-laws Carl and Mary Leier, her son Patrick Leier, her great-grandson Asher Sorrels, and two brothers, Leo Johs and Martin Johs.