Obituary: Viola Wahl
Viola Mae Bolinger was the start of a long line of twelve children born at home to Rex and Austie Pearl (Spencer) Bolinger on November 3, 1933, in Ringgold County, Iowa. The first Bolinger children were born at home and beginning with the twins, and from then on, the children were born in a hospital. So, if you ask the younger ones, Vi was the boss. Vi graduated from Clearfield High School in 1953.
Vi married Dwayne Wahl from right here in Diagonal, Iowa on March 4, 1954. They spent several years in Kansas where Dwayne worked for Boeing. They adopted Daniel Wayne Wahl while living there. Daniel was born on March 22, 1963.
Dwayne was transferred by Boeing to Washington State, and they lived in Bothell, Washington. When Dwayne retired, they made the decision to move back to Iowa to be closer to family. They bought an acreage south of Clearfield where they lived together through Dwayne’s death and her own.
She loved to collect owls and dolls and anything else that caught her eye. She was very independent and hated to give up being able to get in her car and go anytime she wanted to. One of the things she loved was being at family reunions with everyone. We must not forget her music. Anytime she could, her sister Doris and she would go to dances and jams in the area.
She even has her brother, Junior, on tape, singing songs they liked. She and most of her brothers and sisters get their love of music from their mother.
Love of family was always a big thing in her heart. Before retirement, Vi and her family took many trips, usually to scenic area places. Pictures as well as film & slides are a true testament to the avid traveler. Vi always told everyone that she never sleeps in the daytime, although we have the picture to prove she did.
Vi was a fan of flea markets. Shortly after moving to Clearfield, she and her husband were often making and selling these items. She enjoyed making things of all sorts; making afghanis, crochet and quilts, were in her array of goodies.
Viola passed away May 22, 2026, at Clearview Home in Mount Ayr, Iowa. She was preceded in death by both of her parents, Rex and Austie; her husband Dwayne and brothers Junior, Robert (Doc), Lowell Dean, and one of the twins, Clark.
She is survived by her son, Daniel, in Washington State; aunt Dorothy and family; sister-in-law Sandy Bolinger and family; Margie Keener & family, Lowell Dean Bolinger’s family, Robert (Doc’s) family, Floyd andKay Bolinger and family, Doris Bolinger and family, Ron and Del Bolinger and family, Clark’s family, and Dora Ray and family, Georgie Springer and family, and Melvin and Sharon Bolinger and family; lots more family and friends.
Open visitation will be held at Armstrong Funeral Home in Mount Ayr on Thursday, May 28, 2026, from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. with services beginning at 10 a.m. Friday, May 29 at the funeral home. Casketbearers are Erron Bolinger, Chad Bolinger, Wade Bolinger, Virgil Bolinger, Taylor Ray, and Alec Hinderson. Burial will follow in the Marshalltown Cemetery, Benton, Iowa. Memorials are to the American Cancer Society. Casual attire is encouraged for the service.
