Viola Herzberg
Viola Lee Herzberg was
born November 15, 1928
in Minot, North Dakota, to
Ole and Olga Lee. She
passed away at age 94 on
November 27, 2022, in
Mesa, Arizona. She spent
her childhood on the Cir-
cle L Ranch near Carpio,
ND, and attended grades
1-8 in a one-room school-
house. She graduated
from Carpio High School
in 1946, and completed
her teacher’s certification
at Minot State College.
She met Harold Herzberg
in high school and they
were married April 30,
1948. They farmed in
Renville County, ND, and
she taught in one-room
rural schools. Harold and
Viola had one child,
Craig, born July 5, 1952.
Viola served as a Boy
Scout Den Mother and
was PTA President. Craig
sadly passed away March
1, 1972 due to complica-
tions following brain sur-
gery.
Harold, Viola and Craig
moved from North Dakota
to the Los Angeles area in
the 1950’s. Although
Harold and Viola loved
California, they were very
proud of being from North
Dakota and their rural
upbringing.
Viola loved life and be-
ing with family and
friends. She wrote a
column in the community
newspaper in Whittier,
CA. They enjoyed family
trips to North Dakota and
spending time at Salton
Sea Beach, CA. Harold
and Viola moved to the
Salton Sea Beach area
full-time in 1983. She ob-
tained her real estate
license and broker’s
license, eventually own-
ing her own company,
Desert Shores Realty.
Harold served as
Volunteer Fire Chief for
many years, and they
were both very active in
the community.
Harold passed away in
2016 and Viola moved to
Mesa, AZ in 2018 to be
closer to family. She was
a resident at Fellowship
Square in Mesa and made
many new friends at Fel-
lowship Square. She was
intelligent and curious –
always eager to learn new
things. Viola was also
resilient, especially
through recent health
challenges. She moved to
Assisted Living at Fellow-
ship Square in August
and was always so happy
when her friends stopped
by. You could count on a
great visit with Vi – ei-
ther in person, on the
phone or by text! While
Viola made new friends,
she always treasured the
friendships made
throughout her life, and
kept in contact with many
of them!
Viola was preceded in
death by her parents, Ole
and Olga Lee, her hus-
band Harold, their son
Craig, and brothers Robert
Lee and Donald Lee, and
Harold’s siblings. She is
survived by her sister,
Shirley Moe, and brothers
Larry (Bonnie) Lee and
Alan (Linda) Lee, and her
sisters-in-law Barbara Lee
and Mary Herzberg. She
is also survived by many
nieces and nephews and
their families.
A Memorial Service
will be held at Fellowship
Square – Mesa, on Mon-
day, December 12th, at
10:00 a.m. Arrangements
are being made by Moun-
tain View Funeral Home,
Mesa, AZ. Graveside ser-
vices will be held in Cali-
fornia at a later date.