Viola Grace Wilson Green

Dec 23, 1930 -

Jan 12, 2021

Viola Grace Wilson Green, 90, was born on Dec. 23, 1930, in Lucas Township, Lyon County, Minn., to John Stuart Wilson and Ella Elizabeth Pfarr. She passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2021, in Tucson, Ariz. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother great-grandmother, aunt and sister. Vi was one of 10 children raised on a farm in rural Minnesota. She had a twin sister, Violet, who passed away at the age of 12.

Vi is recently preceded in death by her husband, Gordon E. Green; and son-in-law, Ted Gifford of Green Bay, Wis.

Viola and Gordon settled in Anchorage, Alaska, right after their marriage in 1952, and raised two children: Douglas Gordon Green and Teresa Ann Green. While in Alaska, they enjoyed living close to their six grandchildren and had many wonderful holiday, cabin outings and family times together.

In 1974, Viola started a new adventure as she and Gordon opened an amazing downtown art gallery on 7th Avenue: "The Gallery." Many local artists give her credit for launching their careers. She was heavily involved serving on the State Arts Council, Soroptimists International and a very active member of the Anchorage Garden Club for years. She became very accomplished at floral arrangement and was sought after as a judge at many competitions.

During their retirement years Gordon and Viola split their time between Anchorage; Waikoloa, Hawaii; Tucson; and their cabin in Kenai Lake, Alaska. Vi took up beading and made a wide assortment of beautiful jewelry, also enjoying the local gem shows in Arizona. They eventually made their permanent home in the foothills of the Catalinas, Oro Valley, Ariz. The two of them enjoyed many years of golfing, traveling and relishing good food.

Viola is survived by her sister, Marjorie Wilson Gigstead of Minnesota; her two children, Douglas Gordon Green (Lynne Watson Green) of Eagle River, Alaska, and Teresa Ann Green Gifford (Ted Gifford, deceased) of Green Bay; six grandchildren, Duncan Gifford (Laura Boychenko Gifford), Ethan Gifford (Kristin Castillo Gifford), Megan Green Walburger (Derick Walburger), Jessica Green Ostermiller (Nate Ostermiller), Katelyn Green Ryskamp (Jordan Ryskamp) and Carter Green (Tamanna Kalra Green); and 11 great-grandchildren. She was aunt and cousin to so many loving families both in Alaska and Minnesota. She will always remain dear to their hearts and vivid in their memories.

Visit Viola's memorial page at www.vistosofh.com to share memories and comments.