Viola Mae Cumro passed away on April 21, 2020 at the age of 99 when God called her home from Gardenside Nursing Home in Fairbury, Nebraska.

Viola is survived by her husband: Maurice “Pete” Cumro; her stepsister: Lois Mueller; her children: Charles Lovgren and his wife Penny, Robert Lovgren and his wife Diann, Sheryl Wenzl, and Diane Diehn and her husband Bryan; her 10 grandchildren; and her 13 great grandchildren.

She is predeceased by her parents: her father, William “Bill” Naylor and her mother, Nora (Adams) Naylor; her brothers: Marvin Naylor, William Benjamin Naylor, and Robert Lee Naylor; her sisters: Mabel Sanderson and Opal “Maxine” Vesley; and her daughter: Shirley Bohm.

Viola Mae Naylor was born in Washington County, Kansas on April 5, 1921 to William Naylor and Nora (Adams) Naylor. She grew up on the state line near Mahaska, Kansas and graduated from Morrowville High School, Morrowville, Kansas. She then taught at a small country school where she met her first husband, Raymond “Bob” Lovgren. They were married on October 11, 1941 and were married for 43 years, until he passed away. They had 5 beautiful children together that she dearly loved.

Viola’s children and grandchildren were the most important part of her life until God smiled upon Viola and brought her new love into her life, Maurice “Pete” Cumro. They were married on October 22, 1988 in Washington, Kansas and were married 31 very, special years. Maurice and Viola became well known in their community as a very devoted couple that everyone came to know and love.

Viola was a special, loving, nurturing mother, wife, grandmother, and a great friend. She is well known for helping Maurice during a terminal bout with a severe illness that no one thought he could survive. She decided she was not going to lose another husband to a dreaded disease, so she took him home from the hospital and thanks to her love and support, Maurice still survives today.

Viola was placed in Gardenside Nursing Home in Fairbury, Nebraska exactly 2 years ago. Both Viola and Maurice have been loved and remembered for their devoted, affectionate relationship. Viola is also remembered for expressing her love and affection so openly, by saying, “I Love You” to so many of those she cared about and always holding on to Maurice’s hand.

Viola will be deeply missed by her family, her friends, and all who knew her in her life. She was a mother to the “whole world” nurturing and caring for everyone that she could. Viola loved and lived every moment she was given, even though she had some extremely difficult times. She dearly loved and felt deeply blessed with “her special gift from God, Maurice Cumro.”     

A public viewing is scheduled for Friday, April 24, 2020 from 5-9 p.m. at Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home in Fairbury, Nebraska. A special graveside service will be scheduled for the family on Saturday, April 25, 2020 at Fancy Creek Randolph Cemetery, in Randolph, Kansas at 11:00 a.m. with Reverend Darlene Novotny officiating. Flowers, donations, and condolences may be sent to 2414 H Street, Fairbury, Nebraska 68352 with a memorial to be of the family’s choice.