Violet Irene Kerr, 100, entered into eternal peace on Friday, February 20, 2015 at the Logan County Manor, Oakley, Kansas.

Violet was born on October 24, 1914, the second daughter to Iva (Wright) and Robert Russell in Gove County, Kansas.  She was predeceased by her loving and devoted son, Royce Clay, her husband Emmett Kerr, her sister Dorothy Burris, and brothers: Elmer, Orval, Keith and Kenneth Russell.

She leaves her loving memories to be cherished by her brother, Howard Russell, and wife, Eldora; her granddaughter, Cheri St. Clair, and husband, Jimmie; her grandson, Stephen Clay; godson, Eric Gallery; 9 great grandchildren, 11 great-great grandchildren, and 2 great-great-great grandchildren as well as many loving nieces, nephews, and friends.

Violet, known to many as Vicki, was an avid reader.  She found solace in her books! She enjoyed collecting books and joining book clubs.  Never a day went by that she did not take time out of her day to read.  Hemingway said: "Life breaks everyone, but some people heal stronger in the breaks." She was one of those people that healed stronger in the breaks. Despite great obstacles, she bounced back repeatedly.

Vicki was a member of the Messiah Lutheran Church for most of her life.  She lived many years in Springfield, Missouri where she cared for several children. She played an integral part of their lives insuring their care and taking them under her wing as a loving, caring maternal figure. She cared for and loved people, always helping whenever she was needed.  She returned to Kansas in 2002 to be closer to her son and her family. She loved her birthplace, always stating how beautiful it was and where she found her fondest memories.

Vicki was a hard worker and a meticulous housekeeper.  One of her favorite sayings was, "There is a place for everything, and everything in its place!"  She enjoyed decorating, cooking and entertaining family and friends. It was obvious to everyone who attended any of her dinners that she poured her heart and soul into her presentations and was a most gracious hostess.

She was an invincible woman.  She never quit and truly practiced what she preached.  Generous, kind, loving, sweet, caring, honest, elegant, fastidious, brave, strong, energetic, resilient, thoughtful, hopeful and selfless . . . these were just some of the qualities that she possessed without a doubt.  She leaves us with a strong, beautiful, vibrant legacy. In life she was a constant state of motion.  She simply loved being there for others.  The impact that she had on others was where she received her greatest joy, and we received our greatest gift. Her guidance and love will forever be cherished in the hearts of all the peoples' lives that she touched.

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Violet I. Kerr, 100, died Friday, February 20, 2015 at the Logan County Manor, Oakley. She was born October 24, 1914 in Gove County to Robert Alexander and Iva Mae (Wright) Russell.

She was a childcare provider and nanny.

She was preceded in death by husbands Clarence Clay and Emmett Kerr, son Royce Clay, brothers: Elmer, Orval, Keith, and Kenneth Russell, and sister Dorothy Burris.

Survivors: brother Howard Russell of Sidney, NE; grandchildren Cheryl St. Clair of Monett, MO and Stephen Clay of Springfield, MO; godson Eric Gallery of Tampa, Florida, 9 great grandchildren, 11 great-great grandchildren, and 2 great-great-great grandchildren.

Funeral service: 10:30 a.m. Saturday, February 28 at Kennedy-Koster Funeral Home. Interment in Pyramid View Cemetery, Gove County. No visitation. Memorials to Logan County Healthcare Foundation in care of the funeral home, PO Box 221, Oakley 67748. www.kennedykosterfh.com