Viola Mae Martin

Viola Mae (Knapp) Martin joined husband Bus, and other family members in God's House in September 6, 2019. She had 3 children; Janetha Miller-Moore of Mesa, AZ, Harold Martin of Avondale, AZ, and John Martin of Lindsay, OK. She enjoyed 9 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren. Memorial services have been set for 3 pm on December 28, 2019 with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers please consider a St. Jude Children's Research Hospital donation. Viola visited here with Dan & Judy Carpenter, on one of their many travels together. Viola was born on July 3, 1919 at 7:20 am at home. She was the first born daughter of George Dewey Knapp and Eliza Belle (Burkholder) Knapp in Upland, Nebraska, Franklin county. At about four months old, Viola got pneumonia. The doctor had given up on her, so one of her aunts asked if she could take over. She began putting baby Viola first in hot water, then cold water, until the fever broke. Viola fought for life early on. Viola lived mostly in Nebraska and Kansas until a trip to Casper, Wyoming with her family. They rode the train to join her dad working to drain the lake and build a new highway in Casper. They were living in a tent with several other families. Viola remembered a big stove in the middle of the tent. The family then moved to Edgerton, WY to work in the oil fields. Viola had 6 living sisters and two brothers, all born at home. At 17 years of age, Viola delivered her youngest brother, Darold, with her mother's instructions. She had him bathed and dressed before her father and the doctor arrived from being stuck in mud after a rain. Being the oldest child, Viola was very protective of her sisters and brothers. Viola learned to use her mother's sewing machine, which led to her making all of the clothing for her little sisters. Living during the Depression Years, she did her part by working at any domestic job to help feed this growing family. Viola met C.H. (Bus) Martin during her teen/high school years. They dated and were married in 1937. Viola and Bus started their life together in the ranching community of Kaycee, WY, again working at all kinds of jobs. Twins Harold and Janetha were born in 1939 in the Buffalo, WY hospital. The decision was made to look for a job in another town. That town was Rawlins, WY and the job was with the Union Pacific Railroad. Viola used her sewing skills to help the family income until Bus was fully employed. Another son, John, was born in 1944. Viola was the protective matriarch of the Knapp family and their children, and brought them together at every opportunity so cousins became friends. Therefore, most of these two generations lived with Bus and Vi over the following decades. Viola stayed in touch with these nieces/nephews "cousins" during her lifetime. The phone book with their Rawlins/Cordes Lakes phone numbers and addresses was the Bible for the Knapp family and good friends. They purchased lots and the old railroad depot in Tipton. This building was moved to Rawlins to begin the remodel project. This project took many years, creating lots of memories. Some good and some not so good. Bus and Viola were the best of friends with Pat and Rita O'Connell, from early days in Rawlins, WY and then in Cordes Lakes, AZ. It just happened the O'Connell kids and the Martin kids were very close in age and became good friends too. These bonds held true and are strong to this day. The two families lived within a few blocks of each other so were included in any and all "get togethers." There was not a party, picnic, hunting trip, or family event without the O'Connell's and Martin's being present. Moral of the story: After 70 years the O'Connell's and Viola's people are still the best friends one could have. One is so lucky to be around when they share two generations of memories. During these years Viola and good friend Rita O'Connell joined the Neighbors of Woodcraft. Viola became captain of the drill team. She led this team including Rita to win the local, state, and national competition. About the same time, Viola started boarding high school boys that needed to stay in Rawlins during the school week. She did this for the next several years. Then she went to work at the front desk of a local motel. Here Viola came in contact with people from Arizona. After some investigation, she purchased lots in Cordes Lakes, AZ. Bus and Viola retired and moved to Arizona. They were involved in the growth and development of this community. Viola got her Real Estate license to work in her own office in Cordes Lakes and opened a Post Office to serve Cordes Lakes and the surrounding communities. Pat and Rita followed after their retirement. Soon after the passing of her husband, Bus, Viola moved to Mesa, AZ in 2004 to live with her daughter, Janetha. For the next 15 years they planned many family dinners with a lot of fun and laughter. Viola traveled with several members of the family, still enjoying her love of seeing what's new down the road. On one of these trips with Dan and Judy, she visited St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital. She became a regular supporter. The family will miss her presence and the stories about the history of past generations.