Violet Reddest

(From Ulmer Funeral Home)

Violet Mae (Stead) Reddest, 92, of Carthage, Missouri passed away on November 26, 2023. Violet was born on August 23, 1931, in Rosebud, South Dakota, to Ben S. Stead and Eva M. (Flood) Stead. She was the youngest of 8 siblings: Cornelia; Myrtle; Ben Jr; Clara; Beulah; Velma and Llewelyn. 

Violet spent her childhood in South Dakota with her family and attended Catholic school at St. Francis Mission in St. Francis, South Dakota. 

She later married husband, Freddie L. Davis who served in the U.S. Army. She returned to South Dakota in 1968 and eventually married Sidney J. Reddest. Violet remained there until moving to Carthage, Missouri to live with her daughter in 2022. 

She spent her career working in food service and several years with the Foster Grandparent program in South Dakota working directly with juvenile offenders. Violet was an avid baseball fan and a dedicated Chicago Cubs fan. 

While stationed in Illinois, she attended many Cubs games at Wrigley Field in Chicago. She had a passion for baseball, music (mostly hymns), singing in the church with her mother and siblings and dancing as well as playing the guitar and the organ. She was known for her humor, her compassion for people, her love for song and dance and her commitment to and love for the Lord and the Blessed Mother. 

Violet is survived by her children: Patti; James, Frederick; Gayla; David and Sharon; Carmen Marlene and Benny as well as many grandchildren, great grandchildren and great- great grandchildren. 

She is preceded in death by her mother, father and siblings; her late husband’s Freddie and Sidney as well as her sons: Donald and Timothy and her Grandson Christopher.

Her family will be receiving friends and family during an open visitation on Friday, December 1, 2023, at Ulmer Funeral Home in Carthage, Missouri. A Rosary will be said in her memory at 7:00 PM on Friday, December 1, 2023, at Ulmer Funeral Home. A funeral mass will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, December 2, 2023, at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Carthage, Missouri. Violet's remains will be cremated and kept with her immediate family until her inurnment in the Spring at Crow Eagle Cemetery in St. Francis, South Dakota.

Condolences may be posted online at www.ulmerfh.com.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Ulmer Funeral Home.