Violet Wangensteen Magnuson

Magnuson, Violet Josephine Holcomb Wangensteen, also known as "Scottie," "Sweet Violet," "The Queen" and "Baby Grandma," was a force of nature who passed away in Woodbury, MN on February 24, 2024 at the age of 96. Violet, a striking woman with a fun-loving disposition, was born on Rice Street in St. Paul, MN to Mary and Walter Holcomb on July 26, 1927. In 1955, she married Miles J. Wangensteen who loved to tease her about being a "Rice Street girl." Violet was of impressive intellect, insatiable curiosity and artistic talent. She enjoyed telling grandkids that she skipped a grade and graduated from Washington High School when she was 16 and a member of the drum corps line. She loved nothing more than hosting parties, especially ones with loud music, dancing, libations and an occasional person jumping out of a cake. (It was the sixties, after all.) In 1962, Violet and Miles built a cabin, doing most of the work themselves. The cabin became a refuge for the entire family. There, she found pleasure designing, painting, improving the cabin, swimming, conducting her synchronized water aerobics exercises, riding the pontoon with margaritas in hand and blasting her boom box. She played it non-stop with her eclectic taste in music - funk (her favorite), jazz, classical, and much to her kids' and grandkids' chagrin, German polkas. Violet was an amazing cook and baker. She turned out gourmet meals, which family and friends enjoyed. Violet's popovers and banana cake were repeatedly requested. After Miles' unexpected passing in 1982, Violet carried on and focused on keeping the family together. While working for the University of Minnesota, Duluth, as an executive assistant to the dean of the College of Science and Engineering, she met and married John Magnuson. Violet and John had a lot of fun together enjoying extensive travels, exploring the Scottsdale, AZ area near their condo, spending a lot of time at the cabin and attending Minnesota Vikings football games. After John's passing in 2010, she bravely lived on. She purchased a baby blue convertible VW bug and buzzed around in it like nobody's business. Violet never let age define her. At 84, she got her first tattoo. She rocked a bikini well into her 90s. Violet is survived by daughters Kristen Sandager (Thomas), Kari Wangensteen (Mark Jensen), son Martin Wangensteen (Johnna), stepson Rex Magnuson (Charmaigne Takemoto), grandchildren Nora Durkin (Michael), Sara Sandager, Karl Sandager, Miles R. Wangensteen (Katherine), Olivia Wangensteen, William Jensen, great grandchildren Louis Durkin, Thomas Durkin and Evelyn Wangensteen, and other beloved family and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents, her spouses, and her siblings and their spouses Earl Holcomb (Roswitha), Gertrude Holcomb, Julia Fern (William). Rest in love, Baby Grandma. Her kindness, take-charge attitude, fierce loyalty and love is missed more than anyone can imagine. A special acknowledgement and thanks to the wonderful caregivers at Artis who helped Violet this past year and to the Gentiva hospice team for their loving care and support. A memorial service will be held Friday, March 22, 2024, at Holcomb Henry Boom Purcell funeral home in Shoreview, MN at 11:00 AM. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the memorial service and a light luncheon will be served after. Interment at Fort Snelling will be held on a later date. Memorials are not necessary but, if you're so inclined, would be welcomed by Open Hands Midway, an organization that provides food and resources to those in need in the Midway area. OpenHandsMidway.org.

Tributes

Violet Wangensteen Magnuson

July 26, 1927 - February 24, 2024

Tributes

Violet Wangensteen Magnuson

July 26, 1927 - February 24, 2024

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