Violet A. Puhl

Our mother, Violet A. (Keel) Puhl, 98, of Toledo, went home to Heaven on August 30, 2022 with her family at her side. Violet was born January 10, 1924 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She was one of seven children born to Eva Mae (Evans) and Armel Leroy Keel. She married Charles (Chuck) H. Puhl on July 20, 1946 and they remained together for 26 years until Charles’ death on July 25, 1972. She devoted her life to her family. She was a lifelong resident of Toledo. As a child of the Depression Era, she learned how to stretch a dime into a dollar. Before she married, she worked at various jobs, in her teens as an usherette at the Rivoli Theater, and at Champion Spark Plug during WWII. She left the workforce for several years to raise her five children. When her husband became ill in the early 70’s, she went to work as a sales associate at Albert’s Clothing Store and at Himmelhoch’s Dress Shop in the newly built Franklin Park Mall. She continued working at various places, including Frontier Carry Out, Trio Cycle Shop, and as the store manager for King Liquidators from where she retired. She was just 48 years old when her husband passed away and she was left to support her three youngest children alone. Her remarkable determination and grit got her through, along with support and assistance from her older children. She was stubborn and strong. After retiring, she kept busy taking care of her many grandchildren and the children of great nieces and nephews or any other child that needed her. She always had a houseful of kids to keep her on her toes and has held every baby in her family. It kept her active and young. She loved to crochet and knit and made sure each of the grandchildren got a handmade afghan or baby blanket. She went to breakfast every Saturday morning with her sisters even into her 80s. She never missed an opportunity to go camping with her daughter and son-in law. She loved jigsaw puzzles and word search puzzles. She also kept her mind busy reading a variety of books. She was still doing the word search puzzles right up until a few weeks before her death. At the age of 80, she took over the full-time care of her newborn grandson, Jakob, and vowed to live long enough to see him graduate from high school. She got her way in May 2020 when she attended his high school graduation. She is survived by her son, Christopher (Charlene), daughters, Barbara Gorsuch, Susan (Theron) Pollock, and Cynthia Ziegler (Chester Reynolds), daughter-in-law, Laurie Puhl; sister Nina A. Keel, 10 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren, 13 great, great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews and extended family. She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles; son, Charles, III; brothers, Jack C. Keel, Douglas R. Keel, Reginald V. Keel, and Gary C. Keel; sister Bernice B. Cole McRee; and great grandson, Kody Rogers. The family would like to extend special thanks to Brittany, Joannie, and Sister Maxine of Kind Hearts for the gentle care and comfort they brought to Violet in her final years. Extra special thanks to her son and daughter-in-law, Chris and Charlene, for giving her a safe and loving home in her final years. Extra special thanks also to her granddaughters, Casey Jo, Nicole, Erica Lyn, and Erica Mae for all the loving assistance they devoted to Violet’s care. Funeral arrangements will be handled by the Ansberg West Funeral Directors, 3000 West Sylvania Avenue, where visitation will be on Friday, September 2, 2022 from 2 pm to 8 pm, where a scripture service will being at 7:00pm. Interment will be Saturday at 10 am, Ottawa Hills Memorial Park.

Violet A. Puhl

January 10, 1924 - August 30, 2022