Violet May Bretzman was born on July 4, 1935, in Fairmont, Minnesota to Fred and Lorena A. (Koffarnus) Raatz. She was baptized and confirmed in the Christian faith at St. Paul's United Church of Christ in Welcome, Minnesota. She attended District #51 rural school and graduated from Welcome High School in the Class of 1953. On March 10, 1972, Violet was united in marriage to Arlo "Doc" Bretzman in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Through the years, Violet worked at the Fairmont Telephone Company, Trimont Health Care Center, Univac in Jackson and at LaBoutique in Spirit Lake and Windom. Violet enjoyed playing cards, bowling, golfing, going to Broadway musical productions in the Twin Cities, trips to the casino, attending Twins and Vikings games, county and state fairs, traveling and going to antique shops. For the past couple of years, Violet was a resident of the Colonial Manor Nursing Home in Lakefield where she passed away Sunday evening, October 2, 2011, at the age of 76. Violet is survived by her husband of thirty-nine years, Arlo "Doc" Bretzman of rural Windom; one sister, Marabelle Lindell (Roger) of Armstrong, IA; one brother, Arlo Raatz (Judy) of St. James; nephews, Kevin Raatz (Jean) of Willmar; Kurt Raatz of Shakopee; Kris Raatz (Lanna) of Hanska; Robbin Celander (Cathy) of Fairmont; niece, Cynthia Celander of Worthington; grand nephews and nieces; brother and sister-in-laws, Rick and Pat Bretzman; Ted and Pat Bretzman' Eldo Bretzman; Lola and Jerry Berdell; Audrey and Harold Jacobson; Henry Mews and Joyce Bretzman. Violet is preceded in death by her parents; infant daughter, Janell Joy; in-laws, Elmer and Elsie Bretzman; brother-in-law, Richard Celander; sister-in-law, Shirley Raatz; niece, Kimberly Shoen; brother-in-law, Elmer Bretzman; sister-in-laws, Dolores Mews and June Bretzman.