Violetta Stasney LaGrave
February 11, 1919-November 10, 2005
Vi LaGrave's Guestbook
December 25, 2005 My deepest sympathy to the family. Vi was larger than life. She and her husband Maurice were community leaders who left their imprint upon the city of Mandan and the state of North Dakota. The last time I saw Vi was at the Waterford. I was there to give a presentation on financial and healthcare durable powers of attorney to the residents. She attended my presentation even though she had a power of attorney in place. She came to support me and to add her two cents on why seniors should have a durable power of attorney in place. She was a firecracker. After my presentation, she invited me to her room. We had a nice visit although it was too short. She was a positive role model for women of my generation. We all looked up to her. She had a career, she was in the State Legislature, she was a mother. I am blessed for having had the opportunity to know her. The family is in my thoughts and prayers!
DeNae Kautzmann (Mandan, ND)
December 12, 2005. Grandmother Vi, I love her. She was a wonderful person and a great grandmother. Some of my earliest memories of her are of when she would fill the fountain in her back yard with just enough water to let me swim and have a great time. For those that enjoyed my Grandmothers back yard you know what I am talking about. She always was the best and busiest host. I can remember summers, as a child, where she would throw a party for my younger brother and I and she would never stop working. I always wanted her to sit down and enjoy the time with us but she always wanted to do more, she wanted to make us happy. We were happiest with her. I remember the Strawberry rhubarb pie, (the rhubarb grown in her backyard), the trips to the attic in her garage to find toys my father and uncle played with and just simply the wonderful time spent with her looking at and naming her elephants. When my oldest son (he is 21 now) came to see her as a baby, with my then new wife, she welcomed my young family into her house with open arms. She was honored that I later named my youngest son (now 8 and born on my birthday) with my grandfather's name. Grandma Vi always instilled in us a sense of family and purpose.
When I was in Iraq on my first tour (my second begins later next year) she sent me many letters with news clippings that I papered the walls of my room with. When my wife of 22 years went to visit her a year ago, she took care of her like she was her daughter. Grandma was always all about family. I miss you. Grandma Vi taught me an important life lesson in that you should always stand by what you believe in. She always stood by her beliefs and she would not waiver. The pastor was kind enough to mention the service of her children and grandchildren to our country. But she also has a great grandchild in the Army National Guard. Grandma Vi was always proud of her kids.
I can honestly say that I am a better person for knowing Grandma Vi. I love her and I miss her. I love you Grandma. Thank all of you for your kind comments. Thank you too Uncles Chuck and Lou for putting together this website. Aloha Grandma I love you. Love, your Grandson, Michael LaGrave (Wahiawa, HI)
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December 11, 2005 We always will remember Vi's wonderful smile and great personality during our fun get togethers.
Don Kirkorian & Bill Lewis (Fairfield, CA )
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December 11, 2005 Thank you for the opportunity for me to have known and spent time with Vi. Many fond memories of times in her company and learning from her in early morning calls to and from North Dakota when I visited the Bay Area and Arnold. I came across of a photo of the two of us taken at the Maui Airport back in 1992 which is now on the bookshelf. John Duckwall (Phoenix, AZ )
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December 11, 2005 It seems funny to think that I probably only met Vi two or three times, since she is so vivid in my memory. I was at Chuck and Lou's house one time when she cooked dinner -- veal and almond stew, not my favorite -- and I talked to her a few times on the phone. That's about it. And yet I can easily bring to mind her voice, her distinctive way of speaking, and of course her enthusiasm. Perhaps she made such an impression on me because I felt as though she was always there in the background of Chuck and Lou's life. Not just on her many, and lengthy, trips to California, but also in her later years, when she was unable to travel. That she fully, and immediately, accepted Lou as a son-in-law is a tribute to her big heart and positive attitude. That she and Lou were able to negotiate joint custody of the kitchen in Hercules during her visits is a tribute to her flexibility. Chuck and Lou, I know you'll miss her sunny spirit and her interest in all your doings, just as I'll miss hearing all about her. Andy Averill (Fairfield, IA)
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December 6, 2005 Troy and I want you to know we are thinking of you today and hope that the memorial service will bring you peace and wonderful memories. Troy is sorry he is unable to make it to the service. He was so very fond of Vi, and remembers how encouraging she was to him when he was a young professor
Troy and Sheila Baker (New Hope, PA )
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December 6, 2005 I am deeply saddened at the loss of your Mother. She was a wonderful, caring lady. I lived with her at the Waterford for two years and so enjoyed our frequent visits. Vi also knew my Dad and he and your Mom always enjoyed visiting and reminiscing over old pictures and good times. I am proud to have Vi as a friend and fellow nurse. She will truly be missed. God Bless You. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Jane Hruby (Bismarck, ND ) [email protected]
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December 5, 2005 A very fitting memorial. I know how hard it can be. I actually learned much from the obituary. She led an amazing life.
Elizabeth Meyer (Tel Aviv, Israel)
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December 5, 2005 I enjoyed reading of Vi's properous life. She is a 'dear'...I will take her memory & spirit with through my life. I feel blessed to have 'shared' her with you. Arleen Enriquez (Redwood City, CA )
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December 4, 2005 Sending our sincerest sympathy. Vi held a very special place in our hearts and lives. We will miss Vi dearly. With our sincerest respect and love. Bob Holler and Thomas Anastasi (Lake Forest Park, WA )
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December 2, 2005 Almost everyone would remember the first time they met Vi. I had opened a brand new ad agency in Bismarck and needed some legal help so I was steered to newly minted lawyer Chuck LaGrave ( I think I may have been among his first clients). Chuck invited me to a garden party at Vi's home in Mandan. I never had any problem remember her first name: Vi obviously stood for vivacious! Our community was enriched by her full life of service. Hopefully the sorrow you feel today will be softened by the knowledge that you've inherited a wonderful legacy by having her involved so deeply in your lives.
Mylo Candee (Bismarck, ND ) [email protected]
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February 11, 1919-November 10, 2005
Vi LaGrave's Guestbook
December 25, 2005 My deepest sympathy to the family. Vi was larger than life. She and her husband Maurice were community leaders who left their imprint upon the city of Mandan and the state of North Dakota. The last time I saw Vi was at the Waterford. I was there to give a presentation on financial and healthcare durable powers of attorney to the residents. She attended my presentation even though she had a power of attorney in place. She came to support me and to add her two cents on why seniors should have a durable power of attorney in place. She was a firecracker. After my presentation, she invited me to her room. We had a nice visit although it was too short. She was a positive role model for women of my generation. We all looked up to her. She had a career, she was in the State Legislature, she was a mother. I am blessed for having had the opportunity to know her. The family is in my thoughts and prayers!
DeNae Kautzmann (Mandan, ND)
December 12, 2005. Grandmother Vi, I love her. She was a wonderful person and a great grandmother. Some of my earliest memories of her are of when she would fill the fountain in her back yard with just enough water to let me swim and have a great time. For those that enjoyed my Grandmothers back yard you know what I am talking about. She always was the best and busiest host. I can remember summers, as a child, where she would throw a party for my younger brother and I and she would never stop working. I always wanted her to sit down and enjoy the time with us but she always wanted to do more, she wanted to make us happy. We were happiest with her. I remember the Strawberry rhubarb pie, (the rhubarb grown in her backyard), the trips to the attic in her garage to find toys my father and uncle played with and just simply the wonderful time spent with her looking at and naming her elephants. When my oldest son (he is 21 now) came to see her as a baby, with my then new wife, she welcomed my young family into her house with open arms. She was honored that I later named my youngest son (now 8 and born on my birthday) with my grandfather's name. Grandma Vi always instilled in us a sense of family and purpose.
When I was in Iraq on my first tour (my second begins later next year) she sent me many letters with news clippings that I papered the walls of my room with. When my wife of 22 years went to visit her a year ago, she took care of her like she was her daughter. Grandma was always all about family. I miss you. Grandma Vi taught me an important life lesson in that you should always stand by what you believe in. She always stood by her beliefs and she would not waiver. The pastor was kind enough to mention the service of her children and grandchildren to our country. But she also has a great grandchild in the Army National Guard. Grandma Vi was always proud of her kids.
I can honestly say that I am a better person for knowing Grandma Vi. I love her and I miss her. I love you Grandma. Thank all of you for your kind comments. Thank you too Uncles Chuck and Lou for putting together this website. Aloha Grandma I love you. Love, your Grandson, Michael LaGrave (Wahiawa, HI)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
December 11, 2005 We always will remember Vi's wonderful smile and great personality during our fun get togethers.
Don Kirkorian & Bill Lewis (Fairfield, CA )
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
December 11, 2005 Thank you for the opportunity for me to have known and spent time with Vi. Many fond memories of times in her company and learning from her in early morning calls to and from North Dakota when I visited the Bay Area and Arnold. I came across of a photo of the two of us taken at the Maui Airport back in 1992 which is now on the bookshelf. John Duckwall (Phoenix, AZ )
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
December 11, 2005 It seems funny to think that I probably only met Vi two or three times, since she is so vivid in my memory. I was at Chuck and Lou's house one time when she cooked dinner -- veal and almond stew, not my favorite -- and I talked to her a few times on the phone. That's about it. And yet I can easily bring to mind her voice, her distinctive way of speaking, and of course her enthusiasm. Perhaps she made such an impression on me because I felt as though she was always there in the background of Chuck and Lou's life. Not just on her many, and lengthy, trips to California, but also in her later years, when she was unable to travel. That she fully, and immediately, accepted Lou as a son-in-law is a tribute to her big heart and positive attitude. That she and Lou were able to negotiate joint custody of the kitchen in Hercules during her visits is a tribute to her flexibility. Chuck and Lou, I know you'll miss her sunny spirit and her interest in all your doings, just as I'll miss hearing all about her. Andy Averill (Fairfield, IA)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
December 6, 2005 Troy and I want you to know we are thinking of you today and hope that the memorial service will bring you peace and wonderful memories. Troy is sorry he is unable to make it to the service. He was so very fond of Vi, and remembers how encouraging she was to him when he was a young professor
Troy and Sheila Baker (New Hope, PA )
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
December 6, 2005 I am deeply saddened at the loss of your Mother. She was a wonderful, caring lady. I lived with her at the Waterford for two years and so enjoyed our frequent visits. Vi also knew my Dad and he and your Mom always enjoyed visiting and reminiscing over old pictures and good times. I am proud to have Vi as a friend and fellow nurse. She will truly be missed. God Bless You. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Jane Hruby (Bismarck, ND ) [email protected]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
December 5, 2005 A very fitting memorial. I know how hard it can be. I actually learned much from the obituary. She led an amazing life.
Elizabeth Meyer (Tel Aviv, Israel)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
December 5, 2005 I enjoyed reading of Vi's properous life. She is a 'dear'...I will take her memory & spirit with through my life. I feel blessed to have 'shared' her with you. Arleen Enriquez (Redwood City, CA )
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
December 4, 2005 Sending our sincerest sympathy. Vi held a very special place in our hearts and lives. We will miss Vi dearly. With our sincerest respect and love. Bob Holler and Thomas Anastasi (Lake Forest Park, WA )
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
December 2, 2005 Almost everyone would remember the first time they met Vi. I had opened a brand new ad agency in Bismarck and needed some legal help so I was steered to newly minted lawyer Chuck LaGrave ( I think I may have been among his first clients). Chuck invited me to a garden party at Vi's home in Mandan. I never had any problem remember her first name: Vi obviously stood for vivacious! Our community was enriched by her full life of service. Hopefully the sorrow you feel today will be softened by the knowledge that you've inherited a wonderful legacy by having her involved so deeply in your lives.
Mylo Candee (Bismarck, ND ) [email protected]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~