Timken – Viola Marie Schwindt (Horyna) Roland, went to be with God who has a mansion for her in heaven. She was born March 16, 1925 at the extreme southwest edge of LaCrosse to Phillip and Antonia (Hoenig) Schwindt. Viola passed away at her Timken farm home on July 2, 2012.
Viola was married to Harry Horyna, July 10, 1943 in Hays, KS. To this union, four daughters were born. Harry passed away in 2002. She married William Roland on December 29, 2002. Viola was preceded in death by her parents, sister, Ardell (Catherine) Simmerman, and brothers Wesley, Paul, Carlos, Arthur, Harold, and Elton.
Survivors include Viola’s husband, William Roland, of the home, daughters and son-in-laws, Joyce and (Major Ret.) Harold Harting of Derby, KS; Novia and Mike Mays of Edmond, OK; Neysa Horyna of Topeka, KS; and Jonea and Keno Hartshorn of Timken, KS, She is survived by her granddaughters, Dr. Janel Harting, Wichita, KS, Jenna Ummel, Topeka, KS and Taberie Hartshorn, Lawrence, KS and grandsons, Captain Matthew and (Autumn) Harting, Michael and (Brynn) Mays, Trevor Mays, and Tyler Mays all of Edmond, OK; Harrison Ummel, Topeka, KS , and Kwinter Hartshorn, Timken, KS. She is also survived by her brother, Edward Schwindt of LaCrosse, KS and her niece, Elaine and (Don) Heinlein of Garden Grove, CA. Viola also leaves behind William’s children Mary E. Roland of Belgium, Charles Roland of Pasadena, Maryland, David Roland of Lincoln, Ill, and Paul Roland, Miami, FL., his eight grandchildren and eight great grandchildren and many more special nieces, nephews, and friends.
Viola grew up in LaCrosse, graduated from LaCrosse Grade School, and attended LaCrosse High School. After she married Harry, Viola lived with him on his parent’s Timken farm. Later they lived in LaCrosse, on a farm in Hodgeman County, in Bison, and finally, on her farm home near Timken.
Viola grew up in the LaCrosse First Christian Church. She was a member of the Bison United Methodist Church and taught Sunday School. During her life, she was a member of the Bison Joy Club, the Rush Center Senior Citizen Center, and the Bison Dorian Club. She also was secretary of the Western Fraternal Lodge #95 of Timken. She enjoyed her card playing groups, her coffee friends, bingo, and bowling friends.
Viola’s number one priority in life was her daughters and grandchildren. She was filled with joy with their happiness and felt their hurt twice as much whenever they were in pain. She was always young and always on the go doing chores, attending grandchildren’s concerts, 4-H activities, and sporting events.
Viola was a mom and grandma, always patient and always a teacher. Simple things in life like playing marbles, dominos, badminton, bouncing the ball off the barn, biking, or gazing at the stars made Viola happy. However, during her life she also held other jobs. As a young girl she delivered newspapers. Her first job when she was older was as a waitress at the Wheel Inn in LaCrosse. Through the years, she worked as a census taker and at several cafes and local stores in LaCrosse, Otis, and Bison.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday July 7 at 10:00 am at the First Christian Church in LaCrosse, KS with Pastor John Thomas and Pastor Kathy Bannister officiating. Inurnment of Viola’s ashes will be held at the National Bohemian Cemetery of Timken following the service. Memorials may be sent to the Timken Bohemian National Cemetery of Timken, KS or to the Bison Lone Star Rangers 4-H Club in Bison, KS. Personal condolences may be left at www.beckwithmortuary.com.
