It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that we announce that Viola “Sissy” Tesch passed away on March 25, 2016 in the early morning of Good Friday with daughters Karen and Shanna, son Steven, her sister Valene, and her great niece Brandee at her side. Viola left this earthly world after a difficult and courageous 4 year battle with lung cancer.
She is survived by her husband Roy Tesch from Price UT, her Sister Valene Olsen from Price UT, son Steven Wall, Phd, from Seattle WA and his wife Jean; three daughters; Lori Mayo from Las Vegas NV and her husband Joe, Karen Dall from Draper UT, and her husband Corby and Shanna Kimball from Bountiful UT and her husband Jeff all who supported her during her struggle with the cancer. She also leaves behind, 5 step-children and 6 grandchildren; Devin Wall, Jessica Jones, Brady Dall, Tanner Dall, Payton Dall and Jordan Roberts. Viola also leaves behind one great grand child Jax Jones and two step great grand children whom she came to love through the marvels of greeting videos and Face Time, Addalyn Grace Miller age 2 1/2 and Grayson Scott Miller 3 months old; 2 nieces and 2 nephews.
Viola was preceded in death by parents, George and Hazel Tanner Olsen; sister, Zenna Mae Winn in 1998. Viola was born in Tabiona Utah on January 31st , 1937 to parents George and Hazel Olsen. When Viola was 6 years old her family moved to Spring Glen in Carbon County Utah. The Spring Glen home is where she lived all the way through high school while her father worked in the then burgeoning coal mines. The Spring Glen home was a small farm that she worked with her family to manage. Viola was always a joyful and friendly child and young adult with many close friends. She attended Spring Glen Elementary from grades 1 to 7 winning awards for hand writing and speech. She went to Carbon High School where she was in the Pep club. When she was a senior her father gave her the choice between being in Pep Club and having a car. She chose the car and working for Polar King Burgers serving food she earned money for gas and shared many great times with her best friends.
At the age of 18 she married Robert Wall a chemist and rocket scientist and moved to Salt Lake City where she worked at the State Capital building and had her first child Steven. One year later she moved to Brigham City UT where her husband worked at Thiokol, built a new home and Viola went on to have her three daughters there while she worked and typed her husband’s college papers. In 1966 she moved with her young family across country to the suburbs of Washington D.C. in Springfield Virginia, while raising her children she also worked for 7 years at the 3M company as an Executive Administrator. In 1971 after an unfortunate divorce she returned to Salt Lake UT where she continued to raise her children and worked for a 3M affiliate. Viola also applied her talents working for one of the first mobile phone industry suppliers in 1980. In 1981 she met and married the love of her life Roy Tesch.
Shortly after Roy retired from the famous old “Ma Bell” they moved back to Carbon County living in Spring Glen and Price UT. Viola continued working for the Housing Authority as its executive director for 12 years. Roy and Viola shared many great years together traveling to Hawaii and around to the rest of the country including going to Vancouver Canada with all her children for the 1986 World’s Fair. Viola seemed to always have a serving spirit, a cheerful attitude, and a smile on her face. She helped her children, coworkers, neighbors, and helped to raise two of her great nieces Brandee Mast and Image Miller. She maintained close friendships with even her ex husbands family who loved her in return. She had a loving relationship with Roy’s son Mike and his wife Lynette.
Tragedy struck Viola and Roy in 2002 when Viola contracted breast cancer and the horrible side affects of its treatment. She rarely if ever complained and she even continued volunteer work with “Pink Ladies” hospital volunteer group from June 1998 to March of 2014 During and after breast cancer treatments. She survived breast cancer and continued in her serving ways working with her sister Valene in the Price Domestic Violence Shelter from July 2007 to November of 2013 when she then contracted lung cancer in 2013. Again she bravely battled this terrible disease to see it go into remission only to come back again in 2015 and eventually claim her life.
She continued to have many friends, play Bunko, and to love her dog Rufus. After Rufus passed away Viola cherished her new dog Sassy until the end. Viola loved her pet dogs and they brought her great comfort. Viola will always be remembered for her friendliness, helpfulness, bright smile, her cheerful tone of voice even in times of trouble. She lifted up everyone that she met. Viola was a baptized Christian later in her life. Her children are thankful for the mercy of God and every one she knows will always love her and miss her more than we can express.
Funeral service, Wednesday, March 30, 2016, 12:00 noon at Mitchell Funeral Home (233 East Main Street) in Price where the family will greet friends one hour prior to service. Interment, Mt. View Cemetery, Helper. Arrangements entrusted to Mitchell Funeral Home where friends are always welcome daily and may share memories Viola online at www.mitchellfuneralhome.net