Viola C. Pimper

Viola “Vi” Caroline (Cross) Pimper September 27, 1923 – June 25, 2025 Viola Pimper passed away at peace and surrounded by loving family in Kearney, Nebraska, on June 25, 2025, at the age of 101. To the end, she was a beautiful, vivacious, and deeply caring matriarch whose long life was a blessing to all. Born in Galt, Iowa, on September 27, 1923, to Adam and Clara (Jostes) Cross, Viola Caroline was the sixth of seven children—three boys, four girls. After graduating high school in 1941, she moved to Des Moines to attend beauty school. There, at a dance hall in 1943, she met Al Pimper—a tall, handsome naval officer with an engineering degree in hand. Their first dance would develop into a sixty-three-year romance. While Al was serving in the Pacific Theater, he and Vi wrote letters to each other every day—a habit she would continue after the war ended in the form of a daily diary, kept faithfully for fifty years. They married on September 16, 1946, and set off on their honeymoon: a six-week road trip to Mexico, the first of many vacations spent driving around the country (and stopping at every attraction on the way). After a brief stint in Fort Wayne, Indiana, the couple moved in 1948 to Howells, Nebraska, Al’s hometown, where he worked at his father’s car dealership and Vi did hair out of her kitchen—an opportunity to socialize with “the ladies” more than a business venture. Soon, they had a son, Mark, followed by a daughter, Cynthia, and another son, David. In 1962, the family moved to Fremont, Nebraska. Vi became active in the Newcomers Club and the Women’s Circle at First Presbyterian Church. For many years, she and Al bowled in a weekly league and were formidable bridge partners, always maintaining a close group of friends no matter where they lived. A fierce competitor at the card table, Vi enjoyed all games and had no compunction about besting anyone, even her grandchildren. She was a dedicated crossword puzzler and an avid baseball fan—rooting first for the St. Louis Cardinals and later for the Atlanta Braves after moving to Rome, Georgia, in 1987. As a mother of three and grandmother of six, Vi cooked countless family meals. Her signature dishes included spaghetti (served with red checkered bibs), vegetable stew, Christmas toffee and fudge, and—as polarizing as it was a mainstay—cherry Jello salad. Her table always had butter and ketchup and an extra leaf to fit in more people. In 2001, she and Al moved back to Nebraska, settling in Kearney. Al passed away in 2006 at the age of 82. Though devastated, Vi’s strong spirit prevailed. She adopted a dog, Fergie, and, several years later, found companionship and new adventures with Dean Pearson. Together, they traveled to Hawaii, the Mediterranean, and Cancun—a remarkable third act for two nonagenarians. Vi remained close with her siblings and their families throughout her life, attending Cross family reunions every few years—the last in 2022 as the final “torchbearer” of her generation. Among many things, Vi will be remembered as a happy and vibrant person who loved and was loved by many. She is undoubtedly overjoyed now to be reunited with so many of her most cherished people. For that, we are joyful, too. She was preceded in death by her husband Al; her daughter Cindy Malone; her siblings Harold (Marj), Lucille (Eldon Schroder), Ethel (Willis Schroder), Everett (Micky), Mervin (Lila), and Evelyn (Bud Kraemer); and her companion of twelve years, Dean Pearson. She is survived by her sons Dr. Mark (Sue) Pimper and Dave (Amy) Pimper; son-in-law Dave Malone; brother- and sister-in-law Gene and Karen Humlicek; grandchildren Tony, Jamie (Mike), Sara, Rachel, Liz, and Sam; great-grandchildren Adam (Marvena), Mica, Ethan, Ryan, Sarah, Ellie, Corbin, Malakai, Liberty, Jayden, Xaiah, and Hanna; and two great-great-grandchildren James and Camryn. A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, July 11, at First Presbyterian Church in Kearney, Nebraska. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to the church.

Viola C. Pimper

September 27, 1923 - June 25, 2025