Viola Milton

Viola Milton went to her heavenly home on Friday, November 21, 2025. Funeral service for Viola Milton, age 91, of Fargo, will be on Saturday, December 6, 2025, at 11 AM at West Prairie Free Lutheran Church, rural Kindred, ND. Visitation will be from 9 - 11 AM on Saturday, December 6, at the church. Interment will be at Nordmanna Cemetery, rural McLeod, ND.

Viola Naomi Milton was born on August 16, 1934, in McLeod, ND, to Carl Melvin (CM) and Alpha (Ringen) Hakanson. Viola attended school in Lisbon and graduated from Wyndmere High School.

Viola was united in marriage to Joe Milton, Jr. (Skip) on August 24, 1952. They lived in Sheyenne Township, rural McLeod, where they ranched for over 40 years. Viola was an active church member of United Free Lutheran Church in rural McLeod, serving where needed and also teaching Sunday School for many years. Viola was active with the North Dakota Cowbelles, the female members of the North Dakota Stockmen’s Association, who worked to promote the beef industry.

Viola was an active member of the McLeod Museum and spent many hours cleaning and working at the museum.

Not only did Viola take an active part in the activities on the family farm, she also did cleaning for families in the area, and worked in many homes from McLeod to Wahpeton. Viola was known for her hospitality and always had coffee and meals for anyone who stopped by. Later in life, she made it her mission to assist neighbors and friends in need.

Viola and Skip sold the family farm and moved to Kindred in 2007. After Skip’s passing, Viola would go to Rustad’s daily and provide treats and clean the offices and lunch area. This continued until she moved to Riverview in Fargo in the fall of 2018.

Family was extremely important to Viola. Not only did she cherish the time with her family, her brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews were also extremely important, and she would spend whatever time she could with them. Viola leaves behind a gentle spirit and a legacy of caring. Her love language was helping others through her friendship, cleaning when anyone needed it, and baking to share. She was always available to anyone who needed a listening ear or a companion for an errand.

Viola is survived by two daughters; Viki (Brian) Juliot of Eau Claire, WI, and Sherry (Mike) Estrem of Kindred, ND; grandchildren, Jeremy (Lisa) Juliot, Suzanne (Tony) Engedal, Micah (Chelsey) Juliot, Drew Estrem and Kristen (Vernon) Eberly; great-grandchildren, Trinity and Amara Engedal, Wyatt and Emma Juliot, Ander and Everly Juliot, Osric Estrem and Weston, August and Bodhi Eberly; her sister-in-law, Carol Hakanson; many nieces and nephews and her good friend, Len Dieter.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Skip, and daughter, Wanda (Dan) Biesheuvel; her parents, CM and Alpha Hakanson; brothers, Alf, Harry, and Donald; and sisters, Helga, Amy, and Ruth.

A special thank you to the staff at Riverview, her home for the past 8 years, and the caring staff of Hearts in Action.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to HIA Hospice, 3800 56th Ave. S., Fargo, ND 58104 or West Prairie Free Lutheran Church, 15720 ND-46, Kindred, ND 58051