Viola R. “Vi” Berns, age 106 of Melrose, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 24, 2016 at the CentraCare Health Nursing Home in Melrose, Minnesota.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, September 28, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Freeport with Rev. Marvin Ennenking officiating and Rev. Ken Thielman concelebrating. Interment was in St. Mary’s Cemetery following the service.
Viola Rose Winter was born April 28, 1910 in Melrose, Minnesota to Mathias and Helen (Ostendorf) Winter. She married Henry Berns on November 11, 1930 at St. Boniface Church in Melrose. Vi enjoyed cooking, baking, and music. She was a piano teacher for many years in Melrose and played organ at St. Mary’s Catholic Church.
Vi was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and the American Legion Auxiliary.
Survivors include her grandsons, Paul Nett of Albany, Mick Nett of Avon, and David (Gail) Nett of Sartell; and great-grandchildren, Marcus and Brooke Nett.
Vi was preceded in death by her husband, Henry Berns on October 23, 1982; parents; daughter, Sharon Nett; brothers, Ernest, Warren, and Bernard Winter; and sister, Virginia Fluegel.

