Violet Hutchins

Violet Hutchins (Morley, Criswell, Moroff), 85, died Nov. 16, 2017, in Fayetteville, Ark.

She began her life in a small outpost in Manitoba, Canada, that was so remote there were trails leading from house to house instead of roads. Her family often lived on bear and moose meat. Her mother died when she was 2 years old, and she valiantly helped with the household. At

13 she and her sister were sent to

Irving, Ill., to be cared for by relatives.

At a young age she married Kenneth Criswell and raised her four children, Bobby, Ron, Linda and Sheri. Bobby died of kidney disease when he was only 12, and just a few days before she died, she said that she was looking forward to being with Bobby again.

Her first husband, Ken, died of a heart attack when she was only in her 50s. Her sister played an excellent matchmaker when she set her up with Stan Moroff, whom she knew through church. She and Stan moved from central Illinois to Rogers, Ark., to manage a large apartment complex. She enjoyed frequent trips to the Grand Ole Opry and Branson, Mo. She loved running a Christian radio show while in Rogers.

She faced grief again when Stan died of complications from diabetes. She found real joy in country dancing, and also found Bob Hutchins at one of those dances. She and Bob spent the last 17 years of her life traveling to relatives in Canada and the midwest, going to their beloved dances, and visiting with friends at the senior center.

She was small in stature, standing only 4’10” but she was mighty, managing to stay a strong woman throughout her difficult life. She survived the death of her mother when she was only 2, and the deaths of her son and two husbands. She survived two bouts of cancer, a stroke, and debilitating osteoporosis. Nevertheless, she retained her love for her children and Jesus, she always found something to laugh about, and she always found a way to persevere. Mom you will be missed. Luginbuel Funeral Home of Prairie Grove is in charge of arrangements.

Hutchins