Violet Marie (Kessler) Milligan, 91, formerly of Centuria, Wisconsin passed away Wednesday, October 16, 2019 at Christian Community Home of Osceola.  Violet was born in Clear Lake, Wisconsin on January 5, 1928 to William and Mary (Dietrich) Kessler.  She was the youngest of 4 daughters.  Violet was baptized, confirmed and married by Rev. O.P. Medenwald at Grace Lutheran Church.  During WWII Violet worked in the canning factory in New Richmond and at a company that packaged food for the servicemen overseas.  After graduating from Clear Lake High School in 1945, Violet came to Centuria, Wisconsin to help her oldest sister, Emma.  She also worked for Erickson’s grocery store and the Centuria Bank.  In 1948 she married Robert H. Milligan and to this union were blessed with 4 children.  Bob and Vi were married for 53 years.  They farmed near Centuria for 6 years, then owned and operated Milligan Implements on Hwy. 35 outside of Centuria.  Bob and Vi enjoyed being with family, dancing, playing cards with friends, traveling, enjoyed many summers camping at Camp Brigadoon in Cumberland, and were winter Texans in Harlingen, Texas for 25 years. 

Along with raising a family and helping with the business, Violet was a member of the Po Co Notes Sweet Adelines group and a member of the Adolph Timm Post American Legion Auxiliary for over 60 years.  She was a faithful member and servant of Fristad Lutheran Church, teaching Sunday School, singing in the church choir, was a bell ringer as well as serving in many other capacities for the church.  Violet also volunteered for the Red Cross Blood bank.  She was so proud that she could donate blood well into her 80’s.

Violet is survived by her children, Karen Hart, James (Diane) Milligan, Janet (Curtis) Carlson; grandchildren, Brelynn (Andre’) DuMortier, Anthony (Natalie) Hart, Kathryn (Joseph) Bollinger, Julie (Robert) Powell, Jennifer (Jon) Nelson, Rebecca (Scott) Blado, Andrew (Rachel) Carlson, Gretchen Carlson and her fiancé Giles Trudeau; great-grandchildren, Grace and Annelise DuMortier, Liam, Reid and Henry Hart, Bowen and Marlo Blado; nephews, nieces and friends. 

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Robert H. Milligan; son, Steven Milligan; grandson, Thomas Carlson; her parents; sisters- and brothers-in-law, Emma (Melvin) Klawitter, Ellen (Otto) Cloeter, and Irene (Percy) Nelson.  

The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to Christian Community Homes-Hearthside Assisted living for their care and support of Violet this past year, to St. Croix Hospice, and Rowe Funeral Home. 

A special thank you to Jim and Diane for their devoted love and care for our Mom. 

Memorial services will be held at Fristad Lutheran Church in Centuria on Monday, November 11th - visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. followed by the service at 11:00 a.m.  Rev. Angie Kutney will be officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Luther Point Bible Camp in Grantsburg or to Special Olympics. 

Arrangements are entrusted to Rowe Funeral Home.

Last Update: Oct 27, 2019 1:07 pm CDT