Obituary of Violet Bryant

Violet Opal Bryant, the daughter of Julius and Minnie (Otto) Thortsen, was born on September 13, 1913 in O’Brien County, Iowa. She was baptized and confirmed in the Evangelical and Reformed Church. Violet received her education in the area country schools, and was a graduate of the Hartley High School class of 1930. In July of 1933, Violet was united in marriage to Harold Bryant in Nebraska. To this union three children were born, Jermaine, James and Janaan. Following their marriage the couple farmed near Sutherland, Iowa until moving to Hartley where they built and operated the Iowan Motel. After selling the motel in 1963, they owned and managed motels in Fort Dodge and Marshalltown, Iowa. They then went to work for the Travelodge Corporation in several cities. In 1976, they moved back to Hartley to semi-retire. Violet worked for several years in the hospital dietary department. They loved spending winters in Arizona. On Tuesday, October 11, 2011, Violet passed away at the Community Memorial Health Center in Hartley at the age of 98. She was a longtime member of the Trinity United Church of Christ, as well as a member of GFWC Klio Club for 45 years, a 4-H leader, Dorcas Society member, and served on the Community Health Center Auxiliary. Special interests included sewing, quilting, gardening and playing bridge. She enjoyed making crafts for her friends, church and family – her specialty being the miniature mailboxes that her family and friends collected. Her family and grandchildren were an important part of her life. She is survived by a daughter, Jermaine Welch of Hartley, son, Jim Bryant and his wife, Joyce, of Eldridge, IA, son-in-law, Bill Barker and his wife, Colleen, of Spirit Lake, IA; grandchildren: Jonelle (Charles) Conrad of Harlan, IA, Kelly (Deidre) Welch of Hartley, Kerry Welch of San Diego, CA, Jeff (Melissa) Bryant of Spokane, WA, Terry (Dawn) Bryant of Cumming, GA, Bill (Kim) Barker of Cary, IL, Karin Roberts of Milan, OH, Matt (Kim) Barker of Gilbert, AZ; great-grandchildren: Brett and Shane Conrad, Tanya, Toby and Bailey Welch, Jennifer and Sarah Bryant, Ryan and Kaitlyn Barker, Jackson Bryant, Ryne and Chase Barker, Bryce and Lindsay Roberts; other relatives and friends. Violet was preceded in death by her husband Harold, daughter Janaan, son-in-law Merlyn Welch, two grandsons, Steve Barker and Brad Bryant, a brother Gordon Thortsen, and a sister-in-law Polly Thortsen. In Celebration of Life Violet Opal Bryant Born ~ September 13, 1913 Died ~ October 11, 2011 Age ~ 98 years 28 days Memorial Service 11:00 a.m. Friday, October 14, 2011 Trinity United Church of Christ Hartley, Iowa Clergy ~ Rev. Jeff Filkins Organist ~ Julie Back Soloist ~ Rev. Jeff Filkins Special Music ~ “Amazing Grace” Congregational Singing Processional ~ “Nearer My God to Thee” #606 “Just As I Am” #207 Recessional ~ “Abide With Me” #99 Honorary Pallbearers Jonelle Conrad Kelly Welch Kerry Welch Jeff Bryant Terry Bryant Bill Barker Karin Roberts Matt Barker Ushers Hugh Johnson ~ VerDon Schmidt Inurnment Pleasant View Cemetery Hartley, Iowa 9:30 a.m. Friday, October 14, 2011