Viola ‘May’ Nieters

Published 5:00 am Wednesday, May 13, 2009

February 5, 1915 – May 3, 2009

Viola ”May” Nieters, 94, of Redmond, OR passed away May 3, 2009, at the Pilot Butte Rehabilitation Center in Bend, OR.

She was born in Burley, Idaho to James F. and Amy Belle (Hutchins) Ferguson February 5, 1915, and moved to the Bend area in 1937, where she married Jack R. Dallas. He preceded her in death in 1973. May was married to Wilbert ”Bill” Nieters in 1975, and he preceded her in death in 1997. She was also preceded by a sister, Lois Ferguson; brother, Henry ”Hank” Ferguson, in 1997.

May was a seamstress by trade and was the Financial Secretary/Treasurer of the Laundry Workers and Dye House Operators local union in Bend. She was also a charter member and past president of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Bend Eagles and a lifetime member of the VFW.

After moving to Washington in 1977, she resided in the Castle Rock and Longview area. There she served as president of the Castle Rock Senior Center. She returned to Central Oregon in 1995 and lived in Redmond.

As a younger woman, she liked to travel and sightsee. She loved to go on picnics, having barbecues during nice weather and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She also loved crossword puzzles and reading, especially the Word of God.

May is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Allister (Al) and Edna Dallas of Redmond; brother, Ernest Ferguson of Medford, OR; eight grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.

A celebration of May’s life will be held at a later date for her family members. Niswonger-Reynolds Funeral Home was honored to serve the family. 541-382-2471, www.niswonger-reynolds.com