Violenza Neumann

Lebanon, Oregon.

Violenza was born on March 22, 1917 in St. Paul, Minnesota to Egisto Bertozzi and Armida (Sigali)

Bertozzi.

Violenza found school academics easy as she completed four years of high school courses in

three years at Harding High School in St. Paul. At the age of twelve her mother left leaving her

responsible for the cleaning and cooking at home, but still she managed to get straight A’s.

Violenza’s love of life was displayed in her involvement in extra-curricular activities in high school.

She was captain of the tumbling team, a member of G.A.A., on the yearbook committee, in art

club, chess club, German club, Latin club, and Glee Club. After high school, Violenza attended

The University of Minnesota. She had a double major in music and foreign languages.

On October 12th, 1940, Violenza married her childhood sweetheart, Richard (Dick) Neumann.

Dick and Babe moved to Davenport, Iowa after their marriage.

It was in Davenport that the couple settled down and raised their two children. They were married

for 68 years.

Violenza’s zest for life was exemplified in her musical and athletic accomplishments. At the age of five,

she began playing the piano. Throughout her life, she continued to play, performing in a band for

many years, and entertaining her family and friends just days before her death. Babe was a natural

athlete, excelling in every sport she played. Violenza became a very accomplished ice skater

eventually performing in ice shows. Her greatest accomplishment was skating in the ice show with

Sonya Henning and Ruth Chandler. However, her true love was the game of golf. Not many people

can boast of having a hole in one. Babe had three holes in one with the last one coming at the

age of 83!!!!

Violenza (Babe) touched everyone she met. Her life was a tribute to all that is good and kind.

to learn about this woman, read the recently released book “Bianca’s Vineyard”, a book dedicated

to her, a true Bertozzi. Yes, she is loved and she will be missed.

Violenza is survived by a daughter Judy (Robert) Cowman of Crystal Lake, Wisconsin and a son

David (Teresa) Neumann of Lebanon, Oregon. There are four grandchildren, Troy (Jennifer) Bowe,

Rachel (Isaac)Presley, Luke (Marika) Neumann, and Hannah (Alex) Brink. She has four great grand-

children, Ella Cowman, Garrison Bryant, Aerin Camille Bowe, and Liam David Presley.

Violenza was preceded in death by her husband Richard Neumann, her father Egisto Bertozzi,

her mother Armida Sigali, a brother Silverio Bertozzi, a brother-in-law Don Neumann and two

sisters-in-law Ruth Bertozzi, and Verda Neumann.

Friends may visit at the Runge Funeral Home in Davenport, Iowa on Tuesday, June 14th from

11:00 to noon. A graveside ceremony will be held at noon followed by a celebration of

Babe’s life. All friends and family are invited to attend this celebration from noon to 2:00

at Runge. Memorial donations can be made to the family, and a memorial fund will be

established at a later time. Online condolences may be left at www.therungemortuary.com.