Rooney Family Tree

Viola A. Rooney, age 89 of Glenwood, died Friday, August 20, 2010 at the Glacial Ridge Hospital in Glenwood. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Wednesday, August 25th at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Glenwood. Visitation will be held from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home with a rosary at 6:30 p.m. and parish prayers at 6:45 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday. Interment will be in the Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Sedan. Arrangements are with the Hoplin-Hitchcock Funeral Home in Glenwood.

Viola Anna Rooney, the daughter of Mathias and Christine (Ridle) Lokowitch was born on December 31, 1920 in Pierz, Minnesota. She grew up in St. Cloud and attended St. Augustine's Catholic Church. She attended school at Riverview in St. Cloud. Viola was employed at Brown and Bigelow in St. Paul and Char-Gale in St. Cloud before marriage.

On November 6, 1945, Viola was united in marriage to Leonard Rooney at the Immaculate Conception Church in Sedan. The couple made their home in rural Brooten. Viola and Leonard moved to Portland, Oregon from 1952 - 1955 when they moved back to the farm in rural Brooten. This marriage was blessed with eight children. Viola and Leonard shared 51 years of marriage before Leonard passed away on March 13, 1997.

Viola was a member of the Immaculate Conception Church in Sedan and later Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Glenwood. She belonged to the Immaculate Conception Christian Mothers. She enjoyed handiwork including tatting and crocheting. Playing cards was a great past time as well as Yahtzee. Time with her family was the greatest joy; she especially loved the hugs from the little ones. Viola will be remembered for her soft-spoken, quiet manner, her deep faith in God and devotion to Our Lady. She dedicated her life to her family and home.

Viola is survived by her children: Ronald (Ilona) Rooney of Emily, MN, Thomas Rooney of Brooten, MN, Carol Rooney of Brooten, MN, Marilynn Lysen of Glenwood, MN, Jean Rooney of Rochester, MN, Daniel Rooney of Brooten, MN, Timothy Rooney of Montrose, MN, and Anthony (Sandy) Rooney of Sedan, MN; 15 grandchildren; 24 great grandchildren; 3 great-great grandchildren; nieces, nephews; a sister-in-law, Elizabeth Rooney of Belgrade, MN; other relatives and friends. Viola is preceded in death by her parents; husband; a brother; and two sisters.