Culture

Walking On - Violet Lorraine Folden

11.24.2015 Dean Rhodes Walking On

Violet Lorraine Folden

Dec. 9, 1942 – Nov. 19, 2015

Tribal Elder Violet Lorraine Folden, 72, a resident of Grand Ronde walked on on Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015, at Willamette Valley Medical Center in McMinnville.

She was born on Dec. 9, 1942, in McMinnville, the daughter of Raymond Lewis Sr. and Vivian Delphine Williamson Petite. At the age of 15, she married Clinton Jerome Folden Sr. on Nov. 8, 1958, in Vancouver, Wash. They lived in Grand Ronde, Salem, California and Nebraska, and moved back to Oregon in 1975. She lived in Dallas and worked for a time at the Blue Garden. She worked in grocery stores, was a bartender and waitress, and for many years at Agri-Pac in quality control. She retired as a floor leader in 2000.

She was a mother to three and grandmother to many. Violet was friendly to everyone and always ready to strike up a conversation with whomever she came in contact. She was a member of the Catholic Church and volunteered for four years with the Grand Ronde Saddle Club. She also enjoyed baking and always took advantage of a good deal in the store.

She is survived by her daughter, LeLani Folden of Grand Ronde; sons, Clinton “Tony” Folden Jr. and Rodney Folden of Willamina; as well as eight grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Also surviving is a sister, Gladys Hobbs of Grand Ronde; and brothers, Raymond Petite Jr. of Dallas, Ore., Ernie Petite of Leavenworth, Kan., and Jim Petite of McMinnville. She was preceded in death by her husband, Clinton, on Dec. 28, 1991.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 28, in the Grand Ronde Tribal gym followed by interment at the Grand Ronde Tribal Cemetery. The funeral meal will be held at noon Sunday, Nov. 29, in the Tribal Community Center.

Dallas Mortuary Tribute Center is caring for the family. To leave a message or memory for the family, go to www.dallastribute.com.