Viola Gordon, 96, of Sedalia, passed away peacefully on Monday, August 4, 2025, at her home on the farm, surrounded by her family.
She was born October 22, 1928, in Cole County, on the family farm, the third of four daughters of J. Henry and C. Hulda (Goldammer) Fischer.
Viola was baptized on November 18, 1928, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Lohman. She was confirmed on April 18, 1943. Her confirmation verse was John 8:31- “If you continue in my Word, you are my disciples indeed. You shall know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
On May 8, 1954, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Lohman, she was united in marriage to Donald J. Gordon, who preceded her in death on June 30, 2017.
Raised in Lohman, Viola was educated in Russellville and graduated from there in 1947. As a devoted farm wife, she worked alongside her husband in every aspect of the operation-keeping records, tending livestock, and helping with row crops. She enjoyed gardening, canning her harvest, and sewing, even making many of her daughters’ clothes. Her homemade cinnamon rolls were a family favorite. Known for her frugality and resourcefulness, Viola lived simply and with purpose.
A lifelong Lutheran, she was a dedicated member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Sedalia, where she was active in the Ladies Aid and the St. Paul’s Quilters.
She found joy in crossword puzzles and games of Scrabble, and will be remembered as a woman of quiet strength, sharp wit, unwavering faith, and devotion to her family.
Surviving are three children: Sarah Gordon Crabtree (James) of Jefferson City, Timothy Allan Gordon (Jeanne) of Sedalia, and Donna Ruth Plummer of Sedalia; six grandchildren: Michaela Anne Templemire (Brett Henning) of Jefferson City, Jessica Marie Durham (Christopher) of Auburn, CA, Matthew Gordon Dines (Jennifer) of Seattle, WA, Christopher Michael Kemp (Kristen Bauman) of Ann Arbor, MI, Jeremy Jay Allan Gordon (Nikki) of Sedalia, and Cassandra Marie Lumpe (Andrew) of Lee’s Summit; great-grandchildren: Jack Liam Dines, Oliver Ezra Dines, Ira Grady Durham, Jude Allan Durham, Allie Kay Gordon, and Anna Marie Gordon (expected in September); and many beloved nieces and nephews.
In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her sisters, Nelda Strobel (Oscar), Norma Liescheidt (Delbert), and Helen Laughlin (Rev. Walter).
The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Thursday, August 7, 2025, at Heckart Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, August 8, 2025, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Sedalia, with the Rev. Jeremy Freeman officiating.
Burial will be at 2:00 p.m. Friday, August 8, 2025, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery in Lohman.
Memorials are suggested to St. Paul’s Church Foundation, St. Paul’s Lutheran School Foundation, or St. Paul’s Cemetery, in care of Heckart Funeral Home, 903 S. Ohio Ave., Sedalia, MO 65301.
Source: KMZU, The Farm
