Viola Workman Babolik, the daughter of George and Dorothy (Bauman) Workman, was born December 26, 1921 at Hinckley, Minn.

She grew up in the Hinckley area and as a young woman came to Pine City, Minn., in search of employment. She did housework for the Millgram and Hurley families and was later was employed at the tuberculosis sanitarium located west of Pine City on Pokegama Lake.

Viola met her future husband, Milo Babolik, at the Pine Camp Ballroom in Pine City. They were married June 17, 1941, and in 1943 they began farming their own land. Viola shared with Milo all aspects of their farming operation from milking cows, to working in the fields, to doing any other job that would require the talents of two people. She also raised chickens that were sold for their meat; sometimes dressing as many as 30 in a day, delivering them to her customers, and then returning to the farm in time to help with the evening milking.

Viola enjoyed cooking, baking (her bread and rolls were the best ever), making quilts, reading, and sewing. She loved to go to the flea market and auctions, and indulged in an occasional trip to the casino. She was very family oriented and dedicated her life to her family and the farm. She was always willing to give that little extra measure of help wherever it was needed.

Viola enjoyed having a full house and besides her own three children, she provided a home for a number of foster children over a period of 10 years. Although it was sometimes a challenge to work with them, she opened her heart, listened to them, and treated each one as though they were her very own. Summer was always a special time when everyone was home from school and relatives would come to stay for a weekend, or perhaps longer. She missed her extended family when all the children had to return to school in the fall.

Viola struggled with several health problems in recent years, and on July 18, 2007, died peacefully at her rural Pine City home following a short battle with cancer. She is survived by her husband, Milo; daughter, Mary Babolik, and daughter-in-law, Diane Babolik, both of Pine City; grandchildren: Michelle Babolik, Patrick Babolik, Jeremiah (Krista) Babolik, Joshua Babolik, Josiah (Cami) Babolik, Jessica (Haewan) Cheng, Jonah Babolik, Julia Babolik, Jennifer Babolik, and Michael Kelly; great-grandchildren: Wyatt Babolik, Elsa Babolik, and Maci Babolik; several nieces and nephews, and many friends. She was preceded in death by her daughter Mary Kelly, her son Michael Babolik, sisters Stella, Gladys, Alice, and Leona, and brothers George Workman, Sr. and Charles Spillman.

Mass of Christian Burial was at 10:30 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Pine City with Father David Forsman presiding. Music was provided by Joanne and Kevin Cahill and Teena and Paul Bacigalupi. Casketbearers were Patrick Babolik, Jeremiah Babolik, Joshua Babolik, Josiah Babolik, Jonah Babolik, and George Workman Jr. Interment was at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Pine City.

Arrangements were entrusted to the Swanson Chapel, Funeral & Cremation Service, Pine City, Minn.

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