Viola "Vi" G. L. Aaseng, 86, of Eau Claire, and formerly of St. Louis Park, MN and Northfield, MN, died Friday, August 20, 2010 at Harbor House in Eau Claire in the loving care of her family and the Harbor House staff. \r\nVi was born in St. Paul, MN, on March 28, 1924, daughter of Rev. A.B. and Gertrude (Gulack) Anderson. She earned a bachelor's degree in history from Concordia College (Moorhead, MN) in 1946 and was valedictorian of her class. \r\nVi married Pastor Rolf E. Aaseng on March 19, 1948, in St. Paul, and together they raised their five children. She worked for many years as a homemaker, initially in Park Rapids and then in St. Louis Park, where they were active long-time members of Westwood Lutheran Church. In 1969 she earned a degree in library science from Augsburg College and went on to serve as librarian at Golden Valley Lutheran College, and later at Westwood. In 1980, she and Rolf fulfilled a lifelong dream to serve in the Christian mission field. Vi enjoyed the challenge of developing the library at the Lutheran seminary in Umpumulo, South Africa. \r\nThey returned to St. Louis Park in 1988, and lived there in retirement until moving to Northfield, MN in 2005. Vi enjoyed family gatherings, camping, classical music, football, and entertaining, and was well-known for her culinary creations.\r\nShe is survived by her children, Lenore of Minneapolis, Norman (Sharla) of Minneapolis, Nathan (Linda) of Eau Claire, Grant (Ruth) of Alexandria, MN, and Scott (Gale Holmlund) of Chicago, her 10 grandchildren, her brother, Norman (Mary Lloyd) Anderson of Rockville, MD, and her sister, Charlotte Rasmussen of Northfield, MN; and nieces and nephews.\r\nShe was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Rolf; and brother, Oscar.\r\nA memorial service will be held at Westwood Lutheran Church at 9001 Cedar Lake Road, St. Louis Park. MN, at 10:30 am on Friday, Sept.24. Visitation will be at the church an hour before the service. Burial will be at Fort Snelling National Cemetery. \r\nMemorials may be given to National Church Library Association, 275 South Third St., Suite 204, Stillwater, MN 55082 or the Lutheran seminary library in South Africa, c/o ELCA Global Mission, 8765 W. Higgins Rd., Chicago, IL 60631.
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