
June 14, 1931 – July 2, 2022
From the outside, Barb was ordinary, not flashy nor often one to speak up. To those who knew her, she was extraordinary and inspiring in her pursuits, and, especially late in life, her courage.
Family came first. Barb left this Earth saying she was comforted by the love and goodness of her family and the character of her two daughters and three grandchildren.
Barb lived most of her life in suburban Chicago. She and her husband of 57 years, W. Dean Alseth, retired to Chelsea, Michigan in 1997, where they could spend time with their grandchildren and watch them grow.
When it came to friendship, there was no more loyal friend than Barb. She was dependable in good times and bad. She remembered birthdays and special occasions, always with a hand-written note. Her friendships were treasured and enduring.
Age 94, died peacefully in the hands of the Lord on Tuesday, June 7, 2022, at the home of her daughter Carol, who lovingly cared for her, in Cape Coral, Florida, where she had lived since October 2014. She was born on the Eden family farm on August 11, 1927, near La Crescent, Minnesota. She shared all the hard work of farming with her brothers and sisters until she moved off the farm to work as a waitress in LaCrosse, Wisconsin.
On February 2, 1945, she married her soul mate Bill Harvey Sr. They spent 54 active, happy years together raising four children and enjoying life. She and Bill moved to Chelsea, Michigan, in 1961 and joined St. Mary Parish, and they quickly developed many friendships, especially through involvement with the Knights of Columbus, where Bill served a term as 4th Degree Grand Knight. Viola loved cooking and baking. Viola always prepared the most wonderful meals for her family. She also loved being outdoors, gardening, fishing, walking beaches collecting sea shells, listening to music, playing with her grand fur babies, visiting friends at the park, playing cards and traveling. She especially loved being at the family cabin in Indian River, Michigan.