Viola Thompson

Viola Thompson, 91, passed away peacefully on Friday, September 24, 2021 in Oshkosh, WI.  She was born on December 27, 1929 to John Wisnewski and Josephine Nowacki Wisnewski in Edgar, WI.  Viola spent most of her life living in Wausau, WI.

Her family was the love of her life.   She worked at Johnson Hills in Wausau for several years and enjoyed doing volunteer work at the gift shop at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.  She was a devout member of Saint Michaels Catholic Church.  She also loved to travel seeing all fifty states and parts of Europe.  She enjoyed an occasional bus trip to the nearby casinos.  She was a caring, loving person and we all loved her stories, wit, humor and especially her cooking.  She will be dearly missed.

She is survived by her son Randy Letarski (Debbie) of Oshkosh, WI; grand-children Jacob, Sarah and Lucas Letarski all of Madison, WI; stepdaughters Sharon Yach (William) of Wausau, WI, Debra Purdy of Thornton, CO and Susan Thompson-Simon (Lee) of Mosinee, WI.  She is further survived by sister Joan Boser (Durand) of Rosenberg, TX and brother Elmer Wisnewski (Barb) of Rhinelander, WI.  She is also survived by many step-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

Preceding her in death are her parents, husband Ernest Letarski (Married 1950 - Died 1966), husband Ken Thompson (Married 1972 – Died 1987), daughter Gail Esker (Died 1986) and nine of her siblings that passed before her.

A celebration of life will be held at Brainard Funeral Home, 522 Adams Street, Wausau on Tuesday, September 28.  Visitation will be held from 11:30 am until the time of service at 1:30 pm.  A private family burial will be held at Restlawn Memorial Park in Wausau, WI.

A special thank you goes to the staff of The Residence at Oshkosh, formally the Waterford, and Patricia and Pao from the Heartland Hospice Care and the rest of that staff and volunteers for the care and the compassion they showed her the past 2 years.  She dearly loved her daily chats and time spent with Sharon of The Residence.  They loved having a laugh together.