Viola Lee

Vi Lee, 82, of Mt. Pleasant, IA, died Saturday, August 20, 2011, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City after a short illness. Visitation will begin after 12:00 noon on Tuesday at the Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel where the family will receive friends from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. that evening. Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Doug Darnold officiating. Interment will be in Forest Home Cemetery. Memorials have been established to the First Presbyterian Church for the church choir. Born October 5, 1928, in rural Trenton, IA, Viola Blanche was the daughter of Lemley and Anna Mae Christner Campbell. She attended rural school near Trenton, IA. On October 4, 1947, Viola married Melvin (Roy) Lee in Henry County. He preceded her in death on April 17, 1995. As a young adult, Vi worked at the Ordinance Plant, Sylvania Light Bulb Plant, and then Shaffer Pen. However, she was best known for being an excellent waitress at area restaurants. She began at the Main Street Caf, and then continued her career at Maid-Rite Diner, the Hi-Hat Cafe, and finally the Iris Restaurant until retiring. Vi was a member of the First Presbyterian Church. She took great pleasure in spending time with her family, and especially her great-grandchildren. In her spare time, Vi also liked to crochet, quilt, put jigsaw puzzles together, and play cards. She had a passion for going to yard sales and prided herself on being the first to arrive. Vi leaves one daughter, Judy (Rich) Davison of Mt. Pleasant, IA; one granddaughter, Angie (Tom McGerhearty) Davison of Mt. Pleasant, IA; one grandson, Shane (Chris) Davison of Mt. Pleasant, IA.; and two sisters-in-law, Lucille Campbell of Wayland, IA, and Jean Campbell of Lockridge, IA. She is also survived by six great-grandchildren, Paige and Dylan Davison, Taran, Mica, and Dalon Van Amerongen, and Addison McGerhearty, all of Mt. Pleasant, IA. Along with her parents and husband, Vi was preceded in death by four brothers, Lawrence, Arthur, Max, and Melvin Campbell.