Violet Amanda (Mowry) King, of Ontonagon, passed away Saturday April 10, 2010 at the age of 88 yrs. after a long illness. She was a resident of Aspirus Long Term in Ontonagon, MI for the past year.

Violet was born Oct. 30, 1921 in Poole, Nebraska to her parents William Eugene Mowry and mother Eunice (Adams). She was the oldest of five children and was raised in San Diego, CA.

Proceeding her is death were her parents William and Eunice Mowry, Brother Leonard Mowry of Reno, NV. , Clifford Mowry of Sacramento, Ca., sister Nellie Reed of Chula Vista, CA. and her daughter Cheryl King Thompson (Bill) of Flint, MI., and husband Nicholas Miskulin.

Surviving are children, Beverly Holcomb Picotte (Tom) of Ontonagon, MI, Daniel G. King (Brenda) of Alpharetta, GA. Sister Lena Mowry Perry, of Sacramento, CA. Grandchildren, Sue Picotte of Ontonagon, Lori Silver of Ontonagon and Cliff (Renee) Picotte of Ontonagon, MI. Chuck Thompson of Mesa, AZ. and Joshua Thompson of Hawaii (Navy).

Great-grandchildren, Nicholas Yakovich of Menominee, MI Lauren Silver (FiancAC. Ken Seid) of Marquette, MI, Bridgette Yakovich of Ontonagon MI., Natalie Silver of Ontonagon, and Miranda Silver of Ontonagon, MI. and Cassie Thompson of Flint, MI. Numerous nieces and nephews and cousins who all loved her very much. Her best friend Gert D'Aguirre of Lovell, MI. and her faithful companion Chia a long coated Chihuahua.

In 1980, Violet bought a building at 522 River Street in Ontonagon (destroyed by fire of 2008) and opened the Village Harvest House, health food store. She ran the store until her retirement in 1996 when she and her husband Nick moved to Camp Verde, AZ. When Nick got sick they moved back to Ontonagon. Nick passed away in 2004 and Violet moved to Alpharetta, GA with her son Daniel King. She resided there until 2008 when she moved back to Ontonagon and into Aspirus Long Care.

Violet was a very strong figure in our family and considered our Matriarch. She loved to tell family members about how she came to California in a homemade covered wagon pulled by a model T Ford, and it took them 13 days to go across country. She told stories of when she operated a street car in San Diego and found money flying in the wind. When she would see money on the ground and would stop the cable car get off and pick up the money. Altogether she collected about $600 and turned it all in to the police (even though it was war time and she could have used the money). A man claimed the money and was so thankful she had turned it in.

At the request of Violet King there will be no funeral or visitation. A memorial will be held at a later date.