Viola C. Muckler

Viola Clare Mihin, born Nov. 15, 1936, Slayton Minn., daughter of John Franklin “Frank” Mihin and Minnie Eichhorn Mihin, died on May 5, 2008, in Kent, Wash., after a tough battle with cancer.

Vi was the great-granddaughter of Irish famine immigrants, Michael and Mary (Hourigan) Mihin. She grew up on the Mihin family farm near Lake Wilson, Minn.

She moved to Sioux Falls, S.D., in 1946 and attended Cathedral High and Nettleton School of Business.

Vi married John J. Muckler on Jan. 24, 1959. She lived in Los Angeles, Calif., Sandpoint, Idaho, Reno, Nev., and Kent.

In Reno, she realized her lifelong dream of owning an ice cream parlor. She loved cooking, family history research, conversations, travel, house hunting, antique collecting, and any excuse for a good laugh.

She is survived by children, Kathryn, John (Sandra) and Sara of Seattle, Wash.; her ex-husband, John J. Muckler of Sandpoint; a sister, Marie Schwebach of Dell Rapids, S.D.; and 16 nieces and nephews. Vi was preceded in death by her parents; and siblings, Doug, Doris (Hruby) and Jack. She is buried in St. Patrick Catholic Cemetery in Kent.