Viola L. Deppert

Viola Deppert, 100, of Pekin, IL passed away at 7:45 AM Saturday, March 8, 2025 at Pekin Manor. Viola was born in Hastings, MN to Fred and Amelia Lomker. She married Merlin Deppert on June 9, 1946 in Hastings, MN. Preceding her in death are her husband, her parents, and her siblings Fritz, Robert, Leonard, Walter, George, Clara, Esther, Rosie, and Lilly. Surviving are: three sons, Darrell (Victoria) of ID, Greg (Taffany) of WY, Luke (Tara) of Peoria, and one daughter Deb (Dave) of ID, six grandchildren, 2 step grandchildren, and 3 great grandchildren. Viola graduated from Hastings High School June 1943 and attended Wiona State Teachers College. There she was recruited by the military to join the Signal Corp in Washington, DC to decipher Japanese Codes. (Code Girls). After the war and marriage, she briefly worked at Caterpillar Tractor Company until she started a family. She took great pride in her family, cooking, gardening, and hosting neighborhood children to the farm within the city. For many years she sold fresh produce from the garden to folks in the community. The love of gardening has been passed down to her children and their families. She also became known for her beautiful floral displays in the front of the house behind the white picket fence. She was adventurous first camping in the Western United States with a young family and then traveling multiple times to Asia and to Europe riding elephants and surviving subways. She passed that adventure of travel onto her children and grandchildren. She was a teacher at heart and lead Bible Studies for over 63 years. She loved the Lord and lived a long and fruitful life serving Him and others. Funeral services will be at 2:30 PM Sunday. March 16, 2025 at St. Johns Lutheran Church of Pekin with Pastor Daniel Bishop officiating. Visitation will be from 1:00 PM 2:15 Sunday at the church. Interment will be at 10:00 AM Monday, March 17th in Lakeview Cemetery in Pekin. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Johns Lutheran Church, Pekin or Widows Friend (Friends of Bangladesh) P.O. Box 103 Forestdale, MA 02644. Visitation Sunday, March 16, 2025 1:00 PM - 2:15 PM St. John's Lutheran Church 711 Court Street Pekin,IL 61554 Funeral Service Sunday, March 16, 2025 2:30 PM St. John's Lutheran Church 711 Court Street Pekin,IL 61554