Violet "Vi" Lucille Bjurquist

Violet (Vi) Lucille Bjurquist, age 88, died peacefully at her Rochester, Minnesota home on June 12, 2015.Vi was born on August 26, 1926, near Pepin, Wisconsin, the daughter of Arthur Grant Dutcher and Hazel Elizabeth Dutcher. She had one sister, Phyllis Flaa. She spoke fondly of her childhood, despite growing up during the hardships of Americas Great Depression. Beautiful, kind, vivacious, generous, spiritual, and intelligent, Vi touched, cared for, and inspired those around her. In 1949 Vi married the love of her life, Alton (Alt) Herbert Bjurquist, from Stockholm, Wisconsin, who served as a combat pilot during World War II. They shared a passion for music, singing, dancing, travel, family, friends, and the Lake Pepin area.Alt accepted a teaching and coaching position at John Marshall High School in Rochester, Minnesota and Vi started a successful tax accounting business that she owned and operated for over 25 years.They raised two daughters, Barbara and Debra, who fondly recall her love of family, professional baseball, politics, candlelight, flowers, Chanel, Hawaii, and holiday decorations. Vis community involvement was extensive and included the Olmsted Countys Historical Society (Mayowood), JMHS Faculty Wives, and Gloria Dei Lutheran Church. Vi provided lighting for the steeple at Sabylund Lutheran Church in Lund, Wisconsin and American and Swedish flags for the village streets of Stockholm, Wisconsin. Vis beloved Alt died in 2000, and Vi moved to Charter House in Rochester where she lived until her death. In 2002 Dr. Ed Henderson of Rochester became a close friend and companion until his death in 2007. Vi is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law, Dr. David and Barbara Roberts of Clearwater Beach, Florida, and David and Debra Aune of Eagan, Minnesota; and by her granddaughters and their spouses, Alex and Alexandra Roberts Simpson of Waialua, Hawaii, Jessica and Mark Matzek of Ellsworth, Wisconsin, and Melissa and Chris Rogers of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and one great-granddaughter, Natalie Violet Matzek. Vi is also survived by her sister-in-law, Adeline Florness, of Bay City, Wisconsin, and by her brother-in-law, Rev. Richard Flaa of Turtle Lake, Wisconsin, in addition to cherished nieces and nephews, relatives, and friends. At her request, a memorial service will be held in the chapel at Charter House located at 211-2nd Street, Rochester, Minnesota 55901-2807 on Wednesday, June 17, 2015 at 11:00 am, with a luncheon following the service. Vis final resting place will be beside her beloved husband at Sabylund Lutheran Church in Lund, Wisconsin.