Violet V. (McAlexander) Harris

Violet Viola (McAlexander) Harris was born July 31, 1922 in Dunlap, Iowa, and died just a few months shy of her 104 th birthday on April 7, 2026. She outlived most everyone in her generation, but is survived by sisters-in-law Vada Niccoli and Barbara Cullin, daughter-in-law Diana Harris, five grandchildren, sixteen great-grandchildren, five great-great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Violet married Gene Harris on January 11, 1943. She worked a full-time job for many years and had her own bank account before women were even widely allowed to have bank accounts. Before her children were born, Violet spent time traveling the country with family and friends, tracing and recording the genealogy of Gene’s and her families back to their origins in Scotland, Ireland, Germany, and England.   She bought the Encyclopedia Brittanica one book at a time, and the collection was proudly displayed on a bookshelf that Gene made.

Violet gave birth to three sons who grew up best friends. She suffered tragic loss in her lifetime, enduring twice what no parent should endure once: her middle son, Robert, died a soldier in the Vietnam war in 1969; and her youngest son, Kent, died in a work accident in 1981. In the end she outlived all three of her children, burying her oldest son, Jim, just over a year before she died.

Violet was a sharp mind, an independent spirit, a voracious gardener, and a prolific quilter. She made (and gave away) over 120 quilts in her lifetime. Just two weeks before she died, she was still quilting potholders, feeling for the needles as she went because her eyes were of no use anymore. Her flower garden was a delight to behold every year. She loved spending time with her sisters-in-law, and was an active member of The Friendly Neighbors Club and The Percival Needlecrafters.

Violet was so many things in her own right, but to her grandchildren, she was home base. She was there when our dad didn’t want us bothering him, and she would pull out her tins for us to make mud pies.  She was there when we came back from roping in the arena, ready with hot cocoa or Coca-Cola depending on the weather. She was there when we came back from long trail rides, waiting with her cotton balls and rubbing alcohol for our bug bites. She was there when we got off the bus after school, her freezer stocked with Nutty Buddies and ice cream. She picked us up from the swimming pool on hot summer days. She played cards with us for hours, painted our nails together, came to every one of our rodeos and sporting events she could get to. She made the best brownies, the best chicken noodle soup, and the BEST Christmas morning cinnamon rolls. We are still trying to get those recipes right. She was quiet, steady love, and we can only hope to carry on her spirit for our own families someday.

We will miss you so much Grandma. May you rest in peace, at last.

The family will greet friends from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Sunday at Gude Mortuary in Nebraska City.  A private family graveside funeral service will be held at the Wyuka Cemetery in Nebraska City.

Memorials may be given to Percival Hometown Pride.

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