Louise Viele
Louise Viele was born to Leonard and Irma (Ward) Joppie on October 20, 1925, in Sunfield Township. The second of six children, she was raised on the family farm. She attended Bismark School and Vermontville High School, graduating in 1943. After graduation she worked as a “Rosie the Riveter” in Lansing during WWII. On May 19, 1946, she married Charles Viele. They had five children and were married for 75 years. Louise passed away peacefully on December 2, 2025 at the age of 100, after living a long and full life. She will be greatly missed by many.
Louise and Charles farmed until they formed Charles Viele Bulldozing in 1954. They eventually built a house in Vermontville in 1960, and she made it into a home, living there into her nineties. Over the years she helped with the excavating business, answering phones, keeping records, etc. She always made sure Charles had a well packed lunch pail and thermos.
Her first priority was being a great mom to their children… plus a few others along the way. She was the primary reason her children became educated, responsible, and caring adults. During summers their pool would often be full of kids. Her role as a grandma and great grandma was one she thoroughly enjoyed, providing plenty of love, hugs, and understanding. She was known as a smart, kind, and patient person by many, and was sharp-witted right to the end.
She was a member of the Vermontville Congregational Church, and was one of the “church ladies,” helping with Syrup Festival, Harvest Festival dinner, funeral luncheons, and so on. Charles often said she was one of the best cooks in Eaton County. She participated in many community groups like 4-H, Cub Scouts, Women’s Club, and school related groups such as Band Boosters. She enjoyed knitting, reading, gardening, and watching Tigers and Rams games.
Louise treasured her friends. She and Charles had a getaway place near Cadillac, the scene of many fall color tours and fun snowmobile weekends. Most of her time there was spent in the kitchen, making sure everyone was well fed. Meal Prep there became known as the Crock-pot Wars.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, son Raymond Viele, sisters Leona (Bob) McNally, Barb (Larry) Musser, Jo (Doug) Steward, and brother Neil Joppie.
She is survived by her brother Leonard “Bud” Joppie, and brother-in-law Larry Musser; daughter Jeanne (Mel) Straub of Lowell, Denise (Dale) Berry of Vermontville, Maurene Viele (Karl Sorensen) of San Francisco; son Charles, Jr. (Kathy Kolodica-Viele) Viele, of Charlotte, and honorary son Mike Orman; grandchildren Brandy Viele, Justin (Maber) Viele, Ethan Berry, Nichole (Ian) Carolla, Eren (Corey) Smith, and honorary grandchildren Alicia Kolodica Smith and Joe Smith; and beloved great-granddaughters Julianna Lopez, Charlotte Smith, Mary Louise Carolla, April Viele, and Evelyn Smith, as well as many nieces and nephews.
A memorial wil be held on Friday, January 9, 2026, at Daniels Funeral Home in Nashville. Burial will be at Woodlawn Cemetery near Vermontville.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Maple Valley Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 715, Nashville, MI 49073, or Bismark Community Boosters, Amy Robinson, Treasurer, 9421 Bismark Hwy., Vermontville, MI 49096. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the Daniels Funeral Home – Nashville, conveniently located at 9200 E. M-79 Hwy., Nashville, MI. For more information, please visit our website at www.danielsfuneralhome.net.