Viola May Hall

Viola May Jensen Hall passed away Feb. 5, 2018, at the Homestead Assisted Living in Rexburg, Idaho.Viola was born in Lima, Montana, on Sept 10, 1934 to Clarence Jensen and Mamie Minetto Jensen.  She grew up in Red Rock and Armstead, Montana, attending school in Armstead and Dillon, Montana. As a child she learned to play the accordion and became quite accomplished and she would play for many family gatherings. She was also an avid 4Her, receiving many ribbons, mostly for her sewing and cooking. She also spent time as a junior leader in 4H.  As an adult, Viola learned to bowl and enjoyed this as one of her favorite hobbies, spending many years on bowling leagues.Viola was married to Melvin Hall on July 9, 1954 in Dillon, Montana. They made their home in Armstead, Montana where Melvin worked for the railroad. To this union were born three children, Bruce, Brenda, and Julie.  Their marriage was later solemnized in the Idaho Falls, Idaho temple on August 7, 1964. Viola was raised in the Catholic Church and had her first communion at age 11.  After her marriage to Melvin, she was baptized into the LDS church on May 26, 1957. Shortly after her baptism, Viola became Primary President of the Lewistown, Montana Ward. She loved working with the kids.Viola and Melvin moved their family to Menan, Idaho in 1966 where they made their home for 40 years. She worked both as school lunch manager and custodian for Roberts Elementary School for 5 years. She later worked for 25 years as custodian at the Menan LDS Church. While in Menan, Viola was a 2-time cancer survivor. She went on to live a long and fulfilling life.Viola was an avid flower gardener and beautified her yard and the church grounds. She was well known by her family and in the community for her homemade doughnuts.  She would make them for family, church, and community gatherings. She also sold them at the Menan Market. Viola’s favorite calling in the church was that of Cub Scout Leader. She served as a leader for every den and then served in the district and council in many capacities. She was a great asset to BSA in the area. She was especially proud to earn the Silver Beaver award after serving for 20 years. She continued to serve for 5 more years, attending Wood Badge and receiving her certificate. Viola and Melvin served an 18-month LDS mission in 2003-04 at the Church Humanitarian Center in Salt Lake City. She brought her sewing machine with her and would sew quilt tops at night after their mission day. She made close to one hundred quilt tops during her mission which were then made into quilts at the Humanitarian Center. Viola continued making quilt tops and donating them to the local Humanitarian Center after her mission, even up until her death. In their later years, as their health declined, they moved to the Homestead Assisted Living in Rexburg, Idaho. Viola lived there for 2 ½ years where she made many dear friends. Viola was proceeded in death by her parents and by her brother, Ronald Jensen.  She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Melvin Hall and her three children Bruce Hall (Kathy) of Idaho Falls, Brenda Hintz (Jeff) of Rexburg, and Julie Oveson (Dave) of Midvale, Utah, as well as 11 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Feb 12, 2018, at the Menan LDS Chapel on Main Street. The family will visit with friends, Sunday, Feb 11th, from 6-7:30 p.m. at Eckersell Funeral Home in Rigby, Idaho, and again prior to services from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the Menan Church. Interment will be in the Annis Little Butte Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.eckersellfuneralhome.com. The family would like to express their gratitude to the staff of Homestead Assisted Living and to the loving care of Homestead Hospice service.