Viola Kollen, age 94 of Mount Angel, Oregon passed away peacefully on Oct. 31, 2021 at Salem Hospital. Viola was born on March 8, 1927 in Pierz, Minnesota to Leo and Loretta Duerr. She was the oldest of 8 children.
Viola worked for 28 years at the Mount Angel Abbey Press. From there, she worked at Wilco Farmers for ten years. After she retired, she volunteered at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Viola was devoted to her Catholic faith, was a member of St. Ann’s Altar Society and attended daily Mass at Mount Angel Towers while she lived there.
Viola is survived by her son, David (Betty) of Brookings; brother, Abbot Gregory Duerr at Mount Angel Abbey; sister, Sharon (Dale) Kadell of Wilsonville and sister, Barbara (John) Nibler of Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada; as well as three grandchildren, three great grandchildren and one great great grandson, born hours before her death. She was preceded in death by her parents; son, Dennis Kollen; sisters, Erna Kasper, Esther Messer, Dorine Nissen and Dolores Duerr.
Viola was devoted to her family and loved spending time with them. She willingly sacrificed her time and energy to her family. One of the highlights of her life was a six- week trip to Ireland to visit her son and his wife. Viola enjoyed writing poems, which were always treasured by her family. She also had a love for dogs, especially her son’s dog, Emma.
Services were held under the direction of Unger Funeral Chapel. Recitation of the Rosary was at 10:30 a.m. with Mass that followed at 11:00 a.m. on Nov. 4 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Mount Angel. Interment is at Calvary Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mount Angel Abbey, One Abbey Dr., St. Benedict, OR 97373.
