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Viola (Vi) Marie Duren, longtime Springfield resident, passed away at age 97 years and 9 months on July 9, 2017.  She was born on the family rural farm in Southeast, MO on October 22, 1919, the daughter of John and Bertha Scheeter.  She attended school in Chaffee, MO.  While working in the bank in Chaffee she met her future husband Ken and they were married in 1943.  Their union produced two sons Fred Kenneth, Jr. and Don David.

After Ken’s retirement, they enjoyed a two-month trip to Europe and eventually bought a winter home in Lake Havasu City and later moved to Sun City West Arizona, where they enjoyed playing golf and visiting with friends.

Vi was an avid bridge player for many years, loved crossword puzzles and making rosaries for her church.  She, laughing, would tell her family, “I need to get younger friends because my bridge playing friends are dying off.”

She was preceded in death by six sisters, three brothers, her husband Ken, son Fred and grandson, Chet Duren.  Vi is survived by her son Don and his wife Brenda, four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Private family services will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.  Online condolences may be made to www.gormanscharpf.com.