Viola Gutknecht died Sunday, March 6, 2022, at her Fair Haven home. She was 87. 
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, March 11, at Concordia Lutheran Church in Fair Haven with Rev. David Buchs officiating. Burial will follow at Concordia Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will begin one hour prior to the service Friday.
Viola Mae Kantola was born Aug. 19, 1934, in West Albion, Wright County, to Richard and Lillian (Tolonen) Kantola. She graduated from Annandale High School in 1952. She furthered her education at St. Cloud State University, graduating with a degree in education in 1955. On July 28, 1956, Vi was united in marriage to Lester W. Gutknecht at Finnish Apostolic Lutheran Church in Cokato. Vi taught elementary education in North Branch, St. Cloud, and St. Louis Park before becoming a stay-at-home mom, in addition to providing daycare for area children. Vi and Les raised their three children in Crystal before moving to Fair Haven in 1988. Vi’s faith was central to her life. She served her churches as a sunshine leader, in the nursery, as a Sunday school teacher, and a part of the women’s guild. She was an active member of Concordia Lutheran Church. Vi enjoyed crafting, quilting, sewing, and embroidery. When her hands were not busy creating, she also liked to do puzzles, read, play cards, and gather genealogy.
Vi was preceded in death by her parents, and siblings Elsie Newago, Lillian Eleanore Esjornson, and Ethel Bernice Baker.
She is survived by her husband of 65 years, Lester, of Fair Haven; children Diane (and James) Anthony of Deer River, Leslie (and Steven) Elvert of Rochester, and Larry (and Mary) Gutknecht of South Haven; eight grandchildren Laura (and Dan), Karissa (and Scott), Jaana (and Tim), Hannah, Jamie, Andi (and Devin), Joe (and Kelly), and Sarah (and Jake); 18 great-grandchildren; brother Russell (and Marlene) Kantola of Annandale; nieces, nephews, other family members, and friends.
Vi’s grandchildren will serve as casket bearers with Leslie Rose, Duane Dutton, and David Esjornson as honorary bearers. Arrangements are entrusted to Dingmann Funeral Care Burial and Cremation Services of Kimball.