Viola Rosa Hurst, 94, Hays, died Sunday, January 9, 2022, at her home.
She was born April 10, 1927, on the family farm near Blakeman in rural Rawlins County, the daughter of Peter James and Margaret Oletha (Bliss) Heaton. She was a 1945 graduate of Atwood High School. On September 1, 1951, she was united in marriage to Donald J. Hurst at the Atwood Christian Church. They celebrated 70 years of marriage before he preceded her in death on October 27, 2021. Viola and Don raised nine children and lived most of their lives in Hays. She was an excellent cook and known for her delicious pies. Her family knew they were lucky to have such a wonderful mother and grandmother. Family was her passion. Viola was a member of Hays First United Methodist Church. After some years at home raising their family, she worked at Travenol, then as the school secretary at Wilson Elementary School prior to her retirement in 1992. Viola and Donald enjoyed many summers in the Colorado mountains after retirement.
Survivors include two sons: James Hurst and wife Terri, Douglas Hurst, seven daughters: Margaret “Jodi” Brungardt, Beverly “Jill” Schuckman, Joyce Klaus and husband Al, DJ Hurst, Connie Hurst-Bayless and husband Ben, Ardie Hurst, and Marsha Stremel and husband Cary, one sister: Beulah Coulson, and many grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband Donald, her parents, and two grandchildren: Janice Schuckman and Cambry Dinkel.
Funeral services were Friday, January 14, 2022, at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, with Rev. Craig Hauschild officiating. Burial followed in Fort Hays Memorial Gardens.
Memorials are suggested to Hays First United Methodist Church or to the Ronald McDonald House Charities Wichita, in care of Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home. Condolences and memories of Viola may be shared with the family at www.haysmemorial.com