Obituary: Audel, Viola
Age 98
She was born in a log cabin with dirt floors and roof with greased paper windows on March 3, 1916 in Woodruff, Utah.
She passed away May 31, 2014 in Spokane.
As a young woman she married a handsome Greek, Chris Paul Audel, who was a professor at the college in Wyoming.
With him she had three sons, Paul Hazen Audel, Donald Ellis Audel and Stephan who died as an infant.
Viola worked as a waitress at the Coeur d’ Alene Hotel, the Ridpath Hotel and retired from Casey’s Restaurant after 37 years.
She was the first waitress for Ferguson’s CafÄ‚Ĺ on Garland.
Always proud of her family she fixed large Sunday dinners for them in her home on Shannon where she has lived since 1944.
She was preceded in death by her husband Chris, sons Paul and Stephan, brothers Chef Dean Atkinson, Floyd Atkinson, Edward Atkinson, and Kenneth Atkinson, sister Naomi Easton and friend Jim Fretwell.
Viola is survived by her son, Donald Ellis and wife Jerinne; sister, Helen Kairdskil; and brothers, Ellis Atkinson and Del Atkinson, Maureen “Bunny” Audel of Green Valley, AZ; grandchildren, Holly (John) Bozo, Heather Audel-Neal (Gary), Heidi (Ken) Crawford and Hazen Donald Audel; great-grandchildren, Tiffany (Mike) Syron, Tara Bozo and Mitch Bozo, Shelby Neal, Brittany Viola Neal, Kelly Crawford and Jace Crawford; great-great-grandchildren, Jackson Syron, Garrett Syron, and Jillian Jerinne Syron.
She is also survived by her dog Tucker.
Viola never learned how to drive so she walked every day, sunshine or snow, to work and home.
She will be remembered for her talent of exceptional crocheting and much anticipated cinnamon rolls at all family gatherings, caring for her 54 beautiful rose bushes and her great apricot jams.
She was an example of strength, perseverance and generosity which she modeled to all who knew her.
A private Graveside Service will be held at Greenwood Memorial Terrace.