Violet Rose Dunbar

Violet Rose Dunbar, 94, of Emery, passed away peacefully at Park Manor in Park Falls on July 17, 2026, surrounded by her loving family.

Violet was born in a small cabin on Buckhorn Road in Park Falls on February 5, 1932 to Joseph and Margaret (Sturm) Elmer. Her early education days were spent in Park Falls and Arpin; she later attended Phillips High School, graduating in 1950. She married Oliver Dunbar on July 21, 1951. They were married from 1951-1977 and had 4 children, Terry, James, Jean, and Duane. Emery was always home to Violet, she worked at the Town of Emery as a Clerk for 37+ years. She was a cook at the Pleasant View nursing home in Phillips for many years. She was very involved in 4-H, the Emery Town Homemakers and the Birthday Club of Emery. Her hobbies included reading, sewing, crafting, knitting, crocheting, visiting the casino, watching soap operas, enjoying country music, and especially playing cards. While she made sure all of her children and grandchildren got baptized at a young age, it took her until the ripe age of 86 to get baptized, with 2 of her granddaughters serving as her God parents. In 2015 Violet went to live at Lakeside Villa, if you went to visit her, chances are that she was coloring a picture, doing a puzzle, or watching the cars drive by. She always loved to be outside, gardening or feeding the birds.

Violet’s soft spoken, easy going attitude, and caring way will always be remembered along with her ability to recall and share the family history of so many people. She will be missed by all who knew her.

She leaves behind her 4 children, Terry Dunbar of Brantwood, James (Barb) Dunbar of Marenisco, Jean (Duke) Grant of Phillips, and Duane (Janice) Dunbar of Marenisco. Along with 9 Grandchildren: Kelly Dunbar of Marenisco, Jennie Miller of South Carolina, Nikki (Todd) Kalander of Prentice, Kristin (Corey) Brockman of Phillips, Troy (Amy) Grant of Phillips, John (Ally) Dunbar of Marenisco, Marcus (Alicia) Dunbar of Marenisco, Morgan (Vinh) Dao of Appleton; 12 beloved great grandchildren, Darren, Cora, Logan, KayCee, Ali, Layne, Raelee, Cade, Shay, Leon, Baby Violet and Lucas; 2 great great-grandchildren, Saylor and Hayes; her sister in law Arlene; and many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her grandson Nick, her parents Joseph and Margaret, brother Melvin Elmer, sister Clara Stanke; along with many in-laws Lawrence Stanke, Gin and Bob Zach, Robert and Ellen Dunbar, John Dunbar, Ruth Perlich, Father and Mother-in-law Oliver and Virgina Dunbar.

On Thursday, July 23, 2026 a visitation will be held at 10:00 a.m., with a funeral service to follow at 11:00 a.m. at the Heindl-Nimsgern funeral home. There will be a burial and meal at the Emery Town Hall/Cemetery following the funeral.