Violet Fern Troyer

SUGARCREEK -- Violet Fern Troyer, 81, of Sugarcreek, passed away on Monday, July 17, 2017, in a hospital in Florida after a heart attack.

She was born in Berlin on Sept. 2, 1935, to Harry J. Stutzman and Sadie Hochstetler, and married Darwin C. Troyer of Fairview, Mich., on Oct. 31, 1954. He preceded her in death.

Violet Troyer, 81, Sugarcreek

Violet had eight children and was a stay-at-home mother to them. She was an avid gardener, canning and freezing the proceeds to feed her family. She loved to sew and quilt. Even following her stroke in 2015, she continued to sew, making comfort tops for the church sewing. In 2016 she made over 70 comforter tops.

She was such a caring person, and assisted her siblings in their later years. She gave generously of herself to her brothers, Henry and Shorty (Oris) and her sister, Lula, and sister-in-law, Katie.

She completed EMS and CNA training and was a home health aide, caring for patients in their homes. She loved children and enjoyed having grandchildren and other church family children in her home. She loved doing puzzles.

She was such a spiritual pillar in her family. Instilling in her children Godly principles and living them out in her own life. She prayed daily for her family: children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren by name.

Surviving are her children, Randall Dean (Marilyn) Troyer of Walnut Creek, Rodney Gene (Carolyn) of Sugarcreek, Rhoda Sue (Alvin Jr.) Schrock of Sugarcreek, Regina Ann (Mahlon) Hershberger of Congress, Ariz., Pamela Kay (Yves) Carrenard of Margate, Fla., Janice Elaine Troyer of West End, N.C., Thomas Darwin (Elsie) Troyer, Jerry Lynn (Tracy) Troyer of Carthage, N.C.; 16 grandchildren and 34 great-grandchildren; brothers, Loil (Sylvia) Stutzman, and Dean (Kathy) Stutzman; sisters, Elsie Mae Yoder, Velma (Ralph) Troyer and Ruth Ann (Loren) Yoder; brothers-in-law, Don (Cleta) Troyer, Nelson (Sandy) Troyer and Orlo (Lorene) Troyer.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Henry and Oris "Shorty" Stutzman; a sister, Lula Swartzentruber; two brothers-in-law; two sisters-in-law; four nephews and a niece.

Services will be Saturday, July 22 at 10 a.m. at Pleasant View Mennonite Church in Millersburg, with pastor Mahlon Hershberger officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery, with pastor Yves Carrenard performing graveside services.

Friends may call Friday, July 21 from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at United Day Spring Church in Berlin.

Arrangements are being handled by Smith-Varns Funeral Home, Sugarcreek (www.smithfuneral.com).