Viola Verna Meyer

Viola Verna Meyer, loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully at home October 21st, 2025 and was welcomed into the arms of her Savior after living a full and wonderful life.

She was born July 14th, 1934 in a farmhouse near the canal in Blue Island, Illinois to Henry, who was a farmer, and Bessie (Jansen) Dykstra. Her home did not have running water or electricity until she was 14 years old.

She was the fifth child of seven. Since her sister was seven years older, she became a tomboy that ran across the roofs of garages with four of her brothers. One of her favorite things to play with as a child was paper dolls. One of her childhood family chores was to peel the potatoes for dinner. A skill that later on left her grandchildren amazed with the speed at which those potato peels would fly.

At a time when education was not as important for girls, Vi took great pride in staying in school. She completed two years of high school at Eisenhower High School before her dad decided she did not need to attend anymore.

Vi met Clary Meyer at Fish Market Street in Roseland. It was a popular place for friends to meet and walk after church. No one knows who caught whose eye first, but she and Clary hit it off and enjoyed going to the show and driving around in his car. They were married April 23rd, 1953. Not long after they were married, Clary left for the Korean War. Vi lived at home with her parents and helped take care of her dying mother. Clary returned about a year later and they lived in an apartment for a short time before buying their home in Evergreen Park, Illinois. Many years later, this home became affectionately known as Grandma’s House.

Clary and Vi had four children together, Cynthia, Charles, Clarence, and Cathleen. While raising her children, Vi would sew and iron for people. Again, skills that would later leave her grandchildren amazed with how perfect her stitches by hand were and how crisply the lines of the ironed linens looked. After her children were older, Vi got a job at a bank in the proof department. Vi worked at First National Bank of Evergreen Park for many years and managed the department with great pride.

In 1987, Vi lost her husband Clary to cancer. To keep herself busy, Vi learned new hobbies such as crocheting, doll collecting, and quilting. She also maintained a lovely yard with flowers and enjoyed reading and doing crossword puzzles.

Vi was a devoted grandmother. For each baby that was born, she lovingly crocheted a blanket. Later on, she made beautiful quilts for each of her children and grandchildren. She had eleven grandchildren Jillian, Kristen, Lauren, Jonathan, Cindy, Melissa, Keith, Jacob, Curtis, Lindsey, and Katie. Creating a home for her family was something that Vi did best. Sunday dinners after church were complete with a roast and mashed potatoes. Meyer family reunions were held in her backyard. The Fourth of July parade with fireworks and Barraco’s pizza was always a favorite for her grandkids. Thanksgiving dinners were ones where she pulled out her fine china that she lovingly washed by hand when the meal was through. She will always be remembered for her spaghetti dinners, raisin bread and grilled cheese, cinnamon and sugar on pancakes, chocolate shakes in the summer in the avocado green blender, hot cocoa made with milk in the winter, and of course her banana bread.

As great grandchildren were born, Vi lovingly became known as GG. Vi had 19 great grandchildren and she loved the moments she was able to rock them and watch them grow.

Vi was one of the kindest, sweetest, most giving people you would ever meet. She also had a silent stubbornness in her that fueled her determined spirit. Vi loved Jesus, and she prayed for her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren daily.

Her favorite verses were Psalm 23:1-6, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

Vi really simply was the best and anyone that knew her is a better person because of her. It was an honor to know her and be loved by her.

Vi was preceded in death by her husband, Clary, her daughter, Cathleen (Johnny) Taylor, her grandson, Keith Meyer, and her parents Henry and Bessie Dykstra.

She is survived by her children, Cindy (John) Erdahl, Chuck (Risë) Meyer, Clarence (Kaylene) Meyer, her son-in-law Johnny Taylor, as well as her 10 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren, and many other loved ones.

A Visitation for Viola will be held on Monday, November 3rd, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the Funeral Service at 11:00 a.m. at Colonial Chapel, 15525 S. 73rd Ave. (155th/Wheeler Dr. & Harlem) Orland Park, IL. A private family burial will be held following the service at Fairmount-Willow Hills Memorial Park in Willow Springs, IL.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Viola’s name can be made to William and Cindy Martin Multiplication Ministries, PO Box 3537, Post Falls, ID 83877.  To donate online, CLICK HERE.

Express your thoughts and condolences at colonialchapel.com 708-532-5400