Service Information
Viola H. Gould, age 99, of Glencoe, Minnesota, passed away on Sunday, July 6, 2025, at the M Health Fairview Southdale Hospital in Edina, Minnesota.
Celebration Of Life will be held Thursday, July 31, 2025, 12:00 P.M. (Noon), at CrossPoint Church in Hutchinson, Minnesota, with interment following in the Glencoe City Cemetery in Glencoe.
Gathering of Family & Friends will be held Wednesday, July 30, 2025, from 4:00-7:00 P.M. at Johnson-McBride Funeral Chapel in Glencoe, and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday.
Obituary
Viola Hattie (Hebeisen) Gould was born on November 4, 1925, in Hamburg, Minnesota, to Louis and Emma (Dreier) Hebeisen. She received her elementary education in Hamburg and attended Central High School in Norwood Young America, Minnesota.
Just before her 17th birthday, on October 18, 1942, Vi was united in marriage to Edmund “Eddie” Gerard Gould in San Diego, California, where Eddie was stationed with the United States Marine Corps. They later returned to Glencoe, Minnesota, where they made their lifelong home. The couple was blessed with five children: Eddie Val, Mark, Emily, Cary, and Tammy. Vi and Eddie shared over 64 years together until Eddie’s passing on February 3, 2007.
From 1940 to 1952, Vi and Eddie traveled and performed with the Jay Gould Circus. Vi performed as a dancer and also managed many behind-the-scenes responsibilities, including mapping travel routes and bookkeeping for the circus.
Vi was a devoted wife, mother, and homemaker. While raising her young family, she cherished summer vacations and enjoyed gardening, canning, and volunteering in her community. She and Eddie shared a love for dancing and often performed in local talent shows. Vi also taught a group of girls “The Charleston” for a 4-H competition, where they earned the honor of performing at the State Fair.
An intelligent and determined woman, Vi had always valued education. Though she married before completing high school, she proudly earned her GED at age 55. At 57, she began working at Seneca Foods (formerly Green Giant) in Glencoe, eventually becoming the lead person in the Pre-Grade Testing Lab. She retired 30 years later, at the remarkable age of 87. Vi also served as head election judge for McLeod County for about a decade.
Faith was central to Vi’s life. Raised in the Emanuel Lutheran Church in Hamburg, she later became an active member of First Congregational Church in Glencoe, where she was the first woman to serve on the Board of Trustees. She taught Sunday School and adult Bible studies, served in women’s ministries, and directed the church’s annual Christmas programs. In the late 1980s, Vi and Eddie joined Berean Baptist Church in Glencoe. Vi found great meaning in community Bible studies and the Christian Women’s Club, always ready to offer comfort and encouragement through her deep faith in Christ.
Vi will be remembered for her loving, compassionate spirit and her willingness to share her faith with anyone in need. Above all, she cherished time spent with her family.
Viola passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 6, 2025, at M Health Fairview Southdale Hospital in Edina, at the age of 99 years, 8 months, and 2 days.
Viola is survived by her
Children, Eddie Val Gould (significant other, Sandra Olson) of Glencoe, MN,
Mark Gould (Susan) of Watertown, MN,
Emily Gruenhagen (Glenn) of Glencoe, MN,
Cary Gould of Glencoe, MN,
Tammy Tankersley Berthusen (Jeff) of Glencoe, MN;
15 Grandchildren; Stephanie Gould Jeffrey, Spencer Gould, Taylor Gould, Leah Gruenhagen Winter, Vanessa Gruenhagen Doan, Alycia Gruenhagen, Erica Gould Knapp, Shane Tankersley, Boe Tankersley, Trista Tankersley Mattila, Troy Tankersley, Cade Tankersley, Tara Tankersley Jacobson, Noah Tankersley, and Jonah Tankersley;
26 Great-Grandchildren and another due in December;
1 Great-Great Granddaughter;
Nieces, Nephews, and Friends.
Viola was preceded in death by her Husband, Edmund Gould; Father and Mother, Louis and Emma Hebeisen; Father-in-law and Mother-in-law, Jay Edward and Mabel Gould; Son-in-law, Michael Tankersley; and her 6 Siblings. Viola was the only remaining member of the Louis Hebeisen and Jay Gould families.
Kevin Hoese says
Tammy and siblings,
We were always very grateful for Vi’s kindness and friendship for Lorna. They got to spend some time together at Howard’s funeral. So sorry for your loss.
Tammy Berthusen says
Thank you, Kevin.
Bob Tankersley says
Grandma Vi will always be in our hearts. What a special woman. So blessed to be around her…C ya when we get there…
Emily Gruenhagen says
Thank you Kevin. Mom always enjoyed and loved Lorna. They had a lot of good conversations and many laughs together!
Nancy Ellefson says
Dear Vi, rest in peace. My condolences to her family.
Amy says
I had the pleasure of working with Vi at Seneca in the late 90’s. If it was a particularly hard day she would smile and simply say “God loves you”.
She was a class act. Sympathy to her family.
Amy
maryann thalmann says
How I enjoyed visits with Vi, while fixing her hair during her years at Orchard Estates. Eternal rest, dear Vi.
Jackie Lindemann Henin says
What a full loving life Vi was given. I’ll bet the Circus clan greeted her and immediately started sharing amazing fun loving stories with one another. Thinking of you all during this time.
Michael Thoennes says
To the Vi and Eddie Gould family: Over the years I have met many of you, matter fact, I knew your father all the way back to 1980 and shortly after that, Vi. I have many recollections about both of your parents, and as Vi became older, her enthusiasm and her faith were very evident. Many time I would talk with me about her experiences and her love for each one of you. She would talk about her faith and how it brought her through thick and thin, always to the same or greater depth of kindness, faith, courage, strength and love. She will be missed.
Ginny Newman says
Dear Vi,
What a pure blessing you were to mankind. You were certainly God’s right hand man in being patient, kind, good, and loving to all you encountered. I smile when I see your photos and when I think about the events we were involved in together. Rest in peace dear Vi, you did good!
Debbie Smith says
Dearest Vi, we loved to see you when you came to visit at my mom Marolyns house. Your stories your smile will be missed. We love you !
Marolyn, Debbie, Mike , John and family
Paula Pofahl Sackett says
Vi was such a caring and loving soul. She always gave comfort and love. I will miss her.
Eddie and Vi were always up to having a ” music jam” at Vera Howe’s house. I have so many wonderful memories of
her. My heart goes out to her beautiful family, Eddie Val, Mark, Emily, Cary and Tammy. My love to you all with hugs and kisses!!
God Bless you dear Vi….
Paula
Sharon (Wolter) Rusley says
To the Gould Family: So sorry for the loss of Vi, I was their neighbor (Sharon Albers) from across the street. We would always wave and have a chat if not busy. May the memories you made and the memories you shared, help you through this most difficult time.
Barb Magnuson says
Vi was an incredible woman- always interested in everyone & happy to share updates on her family. I have good memories of Vi as I attended the adult Sunday Bible class at 1st Congressional. The occasional visits over the years including Grand Meadows were always engaging as her mind remained sharp. Her commitment to her faith was so strong it entered almost every conversation.
God rest her soul. May the peace of Christ be with her entire family.