Violet "Vi" Schielke
May 7, 1940 ~ January 29, 2025
Viola Violet “Vi” Kruckenberg was born to Henry and Clara (Unrath) Kruckenberg south of Beulah, ND on May 7, 1940. They lived in Mercer County until March 1947 when the family moved to Wing, ND. Vi started her schooling in a country school east of Hazen, then Wing and Bismarck. Books were her best friend, and she continued into the research to do her family’s genealogy. She enjoyed the challenge of the research and willingly shared her information with many who were interested.
Vi married Ervin A. Schielke on May 11, 1958, at the English Lutheran Church in Tuttle, ND. As newlyweds, they moved 3 weeks later to Sidney, MT. They spent over 21 years there and enjoyed their Montana years but looked forward to returning to their roots and family in North Dakota, which they did in August 1979. Vi enjoyed getting to know her aunts, uncles, and cousins as an adult and collecting family history. In 1980 she joined Germans from Russia Heritage Society and served on their board for many years. She served on many committees including Secretary, Village Coordinator, Publication and Heritage Review. Vi enjoyed their fellowship at the local level and their yearly convention and made lasting friendships. Another volunteer project that she enjoyed was Quilts for Russian Orphanages. In recent years she has been laying out quilt tops for her church for Lutheran World Relief. So far, she has done 700 quilt tops in 3 years.
Vi spent 10 years compiling the Mercer County Cemetery Index (book) and during the last 2 years, joined forces with Roxanne Salisbury to publish that volume in January 1990. In 2007 Vi published Volume 2 of the Mercer County Cemetery Index. These compilations were to preserve the information for future generations as many rural churches have closed and many records were stored in homes.
Vi was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Ervin Scheike of 64 years, her brother Milton Kruckenberg 1943-1991, sister Arlene Knutson 1938-2010, brother Clayton Kruckenberg 1941-2024, nephew Clifford Kruckenberg and her son Brian Schielke 1965-2024.
Vi is survived by her daughter Clarisa Schielke and her husband Dr. Borys Markewych, her son Brian’s wife Huimin Schielke, 4 grandchildren: Dr. Adrian Markewych, Ms. Daria Markewych and Douglas and David Schielke. Also surviving are 3 sisters: Betty Kroll, Marlys Crump, and Arlys Crump; 2 brothers: Clinton and Dwight Kruckenberg; 22 nieces and nephews, sister-in-law Linda Perman, and 2 brothers-in-law Carl Knutson and Calvin Schielke.
Burial plans at ND Veteran’s Cemetery at Mandan, ND at a later date.
All memorials will be given to Germans from Russia Heritage Society Endowment Fund so that GRHS lives for future generations.
Address: GRHS, 11225 W. Turnpike Ave. Bismarck, ND 58501
My deepest condolences to your family. I knew Vi while we grew up in the Wing community. We had a good visit at Erv’s funeral. She lived a full life. May you treasure the memories of Vi as you grieve your loss.