Viola M. Niemann
Viola May Niemann, 85, of Sioux Falls, SD, died Friday, July 18, 2025 at Dow Rummel Village in Sioux Falls. Memorial services celebrating her life will be 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, July 23, 2025 at George Boom Funeral Home & On-Site Crematory, Sioux Falls. Visitation with family present to greet friends will be 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, July 22, 2025 also at the funeral home. Viola was born on November 7, 1939, in Empire, Oregon. In 1944, she and her three siblings moved to South Dakota. In 1947, Harold and Mildred (Hoard) Andersen adopted the children, and the family made their home in several South Dakota communities, including Sioux Falls, Yankton, Pickstown, and Madison.
During her senior year at Madison High School, Viola met the love of her life, William Niemann. They were united in marriage on August 7, 1958, in Pipestone, MN. Together they made their home in Sioux Falls and were blessed with six children. In 1961, they purchased their home on Point Drive, where Viola raised her family and lived until moving to Dow Rummel Village in March of 2019. Her family were so pleased with the care and love that Viola received at Dow Rummel and the hospice care provided by Avera was sincerely appreciated.
While raising her children, Viola was active as a 4-H Leader and coached her girls’ softball teams for many years. Later she worked at Austad’s Golf, Raven Industries, Dakota Industries, Sioux Valley Hospital, and North American Title Loans.
From an early age, Viola developed a deep love of animals. She enjoyed riding her horse, Midnight Dancer, with her friend, Charlotte Taggart on her horse, Midnight, along with her kids, when she was able to ride. When she was no longer able to ride, she enjoyed watching her daughter, Denise, rack up the ribbons and trophies on the horse she owned, Sanbara's Smoke. She also collected and showed model horses. Using her creativity to make custom saddles, bridles, Arabian and Indian Costumes for her vast collection of model horses. She wanted her children to share her love of animals and the house was home to several cats, dogs, guinea pigs, and rabbits which the kids showed in 4-H. Viola loved working in her flower gardens and collecting dolls, penguins, and owls. Above all, she cherished time spent with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend who will be dearly missed.
Grateful for having shared her life are her six children: Joline (Tom Kuhle) Miller of Sioux Falls, Laurie (Bob) Grahek of Lebanon, IL, Denise (Jeff) Geick of Sioux Falls, Brenda Niemann-Manke of Ocean Shores, WA, Dan (Ginger) Niemann of Pierre, SD, and David Niemann of Sioux Falls, SD; 14 grandchildren: Stephanie (Daryl) Becker, Jarrod Miller, Courtney (Matthew) Bartels, Matthew (Ashley Reluzco) Grahek, Nicholas (Katie) Grahek, Brian (Jocelynn) Geick, Brittany (Joey) Hertz, Zac (Kristeen) Muth, Devin Muth, Sierra (Jordan) Smith, Dominique Manke, Austin McAnally, Katerina (fiancé, Jay Tintle) Manke, and Carly (Tyler) Hughes; 16 great-grandchildren: Rylan, Peyton, Presley, James, Isabel, Asher, Eloise, Isabelle, Violet, Alistair, Amelie, Gavin, James, Calisie, Jericho, and Brecken; many other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Mildred Andersen; her husband, William, in 2017; her granddaughter, Samantha Geick; her siblings, Grace Olson, Earl Andersen, and Arlene Groh; and her beloved canine companion, Foxy Dude.