Viola “Shorty” Lear, 96, of Hiawatha died Sunday evening, March 11, 2018 at the Falls City Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Falls City, NE.

She was born July 23, 1921 in Falls City, NE the daughter of Godferd and Elizabeth Bertram Hunker. She grew up and attended schools in Nebraska.

Shorty married Samuel Lear in Topeka, KS September 12, 1945. She helped Sam on the farm and with his coon dogs. He preceded her in death December 23 1986.   She continued to take great care of the farm after his passing. Shorty loved to garden, which also included canning and sharing her produce.

She baked many a wedding cake for couples in the community and took great pride in her work.   All her life she volunteered herself to helping others. Never having children she was a Mother to so very many. She was a member of the White Cloud Community Church and later a member of the First Christian Church in Hiawatha where she was very active.
 
She is survived by her brother Donald (Jack) Hunker of Berkley, Michigan, many nephews and nieces and a host of friends.

Viola was preceded in death by her parents, sisters; Alice Hunker, Grace Schulenberg, Helen Schlosser, and Lisette (Timmy) Jondrow, brothers; Floyd Hunker, Roy Hunker, Wilbur Hunker, Earl Hunker, and John Hunker.

Funeral Services are planned for 10 a.m., Friday, March 16, 2018 at the Chapel Oaks Funeral Home in Hiawatha. Pastor Dennis Fulbright will officiate. Interment will follow at the Olive Branch Cemetery in White Cloud, KS.

Friends may call at the funeral home from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Thursday. In lieu of flowers the family has suggested memorials be made to the Olive Branch Cemetery and may be sent in care of the Chapel Oaks Funeral Home, 124 S. 7th St. Hiawatha, KS 66434.

Online condolences may be made to www.chapeloaksfuneralhome.com