Viola Ann LeMay

Viola Ann LeMay was born on April 6, 1932. She was the 8th of 9 children born to George and Minnie Ohmann of Eagan, raised on the farm of which the pasture is now the George Ohmann Park. She was the first of only two of her siblings to graduate from high school. Her beautiful singing voice allowed her to letter in the Glee Club at Rosemont High School. Vi married Leonard LeMay in 1950 and together they had four children. Vi enjoyed dancing and playing cards. Returning to the Ohmann farm for berry picking and threshing bees, these large family gatherings often concluded with card playing. She and Len built three of their homes. They also built three homes and numerous garages for other family members. With her lifelong carpenter husband they remodeled kitchens and bathrooms, built cabinets, furniture, children’s toys and games. Vi was always caring for children in her home which brought her great joy. An accomplished seamstress, she sewed clothing for herself and her children. She canned fruits and vegetables, raised chickens and geese. She was happiest with a load of black dirt to level and enough friends to play cards. She was able to travel to New York and Hawaii with friends and at the age of 70 got a passport and visited Berlin and Paris. Widowed after only 39 years of marriage, Vi continued to live on the St. Croix River entertaining family and friends, playing cards and tending her gardens. She liked listening to the boat traffic and watching the eagles. She never got a drivers license, never used a white cane and never considered her loss of vision as a handicap although legally blind most of her life. She taught her daughters how to thrive with poor vision. The toilet paper has to roll from the top. Look at the spot where the voice comes from when you can’t see the face. Memorize the order of the spice rack or stay out of the kitchen. Mixing up the cinnamon, nutmeg and black pepper meant disaster for weeks.

Dying at the age of 93, Vi takes with her a lifetime of unfulfilled plans, hopes and dreams. She leaves behind a trace of herself in her children: talent, grace, humor, a good work ethic, and the value of friendship.

Survived by sons, Gary (Judy Zolldan), Ron (Sheri Samolytz); daughter, Nita Kay (Dwight Aukee); and son-in-law, Tom McNett; sisters, Marcella Schindeldecker and Darline Lehmann; sister-in-law, Eileen Pedersen and nieces & nephews. Preceded in death by husband, Leonard; daughter, Julianne McNett and Vi’s other siblings.

Memorial service, Friday, August 15, 2025, 11:00 A.M. at St. Peter Lutheran Church, 880 Neal Avenue South, Afton with visitation one hour prior to the service at the church. She will be interred beside her husband at Evergreen Cemetery in Afton, MN overlooking the St. Croix. Now, she is no doubt dancing with Len in heaven and playing cards with friends.

Memorials preferred to St. Peter Lutheran in Afton or donors’ choice.