Viola M. Peper, 96, died Tuesday, October 4, 2011 at Riverview Manor, Flandreau, SD. Viola was born on June 20, 1915 at Egan, SD to John and Malise (Amundson) Olson. Vi graduated from Flandreau High School in 1933. She worked as a housekeeper and a caregiver in Flandreau and then moved to Rapid City to care for her brother's family. Vi moved to Chicago to attend business school but returned to Flandreau to care for her father. Viola was married on February 12, 1939 at Flandreau to Kenneth "Bud" Zylstra. They lived in Flandreau and Bud passed away on October 31, 1963. She went to work at the Independent Lumber Co. as a bookkeeper until her marriage to Herman Peper on March 11, 1966 at Flandreau. They farmed until 1982 when they moved into Flandreau. Herman preceded her in death on June 14, 2002. Vi moved into Riverview Apartments and in 2008 became a resident of Riverview Manor. Viola was a member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church where she taught Sunday School, Bible School, and was a former superintendant of Sunday School and a member of WELCA. Viola enjoyed gardening and sewing including making her sons clothes and she also gave them their haircuts.


Viola is survived by 2 sons, Ron (Julie) Zylstra, Brandon,SD, Ken Jr. (Jean) Zylstra, Prior Lake, MN; 3 step-sons, George (Joanne) Peper, Willmar, MN, Tom (Sally) Peper, Flandreau, David (Mary) Peper, Sioux Falls; a step-daughter-in- law, Betty Peper, Myrtle Point, OR 4 grandchildren: Ken III, Malisa, Erica, Corey; 6 great-grandchildren, Erik, Zoe, Cooper, Ruby, Jack Brady, Meyer; several step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren and a brother, Robert Olson, Thousand Oaks, CA.

Funeral services will be Saturday, October 8, 2011 at 11:00 AM at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Flandreau with burial at Dell Rapids Cemetery, Dell Rapids. Visitation will begin Friday at 5 PM at Skroch Funeral Chapel with a 7 PM prayer service.