Funeral services for Violet M. Penfield, age 95 of Lemmon will be 10:00am Friday, September 2, at the Prairie Hills Church of God in Lemmon. Rev T.J. Shockley and Pastor Steve Thomas will officiate. Burial will be in Greenhill Cemetery.


Special music will be provided by Lisa Shockley and Carolyn Penfield.


Serving as casket bearers are Chad and Shane Penfield, Mike Anderson, Wade Shockley, Josh and Monte Olson, and Jim Turner. All friends and family are considered honorary bearers.


A memorial has been established.


VIOLET MAE FIELDS was born June 8, 1910 at Lemmon, SD to William James and Lilly Mae (Cogswell) Fields. She grew up one mile east of Lemmon and attended the Bunn School. She was united in marriage to Ernest Anderson in October of 1928. They lived in Minnesota for a short time then returned to Lemmon. Three children, Mickey, Eleanor, and Marvin were born to this union. Violet was a classic example of a single mom, during the depression, working in a local sewing room.


On March 29, 1938, she was united in marriage to Vern Byron Penfield at McIntosh, SD. They purchased a place near Lemmon Lake. In addition to farming and ranching, she raised chickens and turkeys, and a large garden to provide for her family. Three children, Cleo, Bill, and Phyllis were born to this union. Violet became a supporting partner of a productive farming and ranching operation which they operated for many years. Vern passed away on November 18, 1983. In 1984, she purchased a home in Lemmon.


She was the epitome of western hospitality. Her home and her arms were always open, and the coffee pot on, for all who would stop for a chat. She provided a very loving and affectionate home for her family. She dearly loved them and very graciously reminded them of that.


Violet enjoyed quilting, crocheting and doing needlework. She will always be remembered for her delicious homemade bread and chokecherry jam.


She was a Christian for many years and was baptized on August 30, 1987. She was a member of Prairie Hills Church of God and the Happy Hour Homemakers Club. Violet served on the DeWitt School and election board for many years.


She passed from this life on Monday evening, August 29, at the West River Regional Medical Center in Hettinger at the age of 95 years, 2 months, 21 days.


Surviving family members include her 3 sons and daughters-in-law, Marvin and Jeanette Anderson, Seattle, WA; Cleo and Carolyn Penfield; Bill and Vicki Penfield, all of Lemmon, SD; Gee Gee and her husband Ervin Kuck, Billings, MT; 2 daughters and sons-in-law, Eleanor and Schuyler Turner, Lemmon, SD; Phyllis and Richard Splittstoesser, Rapid City, SD; 14 grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren, and 22 great great grandchildren.


She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Vern, 1 son, Mickey Anderson, 5 brothers, Clifford, Steryl, Richard, Chester, and Jim Fields; 2 sisters, Effie Fields, Nellie (Fields) Stanley; 2 grandsons, Schuyler Wayne Turner, Danny Fuchs; 1 granddaughter, Connie Mae Turner.