Mass of Christian Burial for Viola Jarvis, 97, of Lindsay was held on April 26 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Lindsay. She died on April 22.
She was born Viola Mary Lensing on Jan. 7, 1907 in Anaheim. She was the youngest of five children born to Bernard "Ben" and Clara Lensing. The daughter of a city park superintendent, she graduated from Anaheim High School in 1924. She married Herbert J. Jarvis on Sept. 9, 1932 in Anaheim, settling in that area where Herb worked in the oil industry.
They had two sons, Michael, born in 1937, and Bernard, born in 1939. Herb and Vi later purchased a five-acre orange grove off of Katella Avenue near Anaheim, which they later sold to agents for Walt Disney's Disneyland in 1954. It was located in the approximate area of the theme park's "Fantasyland."
In 1958, they moved to Lindsay, having purchased an orange and olive grove in the area, which they farmed until Herb's retirement in 1973.
She is survived by her former daughter-in-law, Donna LoBue of Visalia; a grandson, Michael Jarvis and wife Melody of Exeter; and three great-grandchildren. She also is survived by three loving nieces and many friends, including the good people of Lindsay Gardens Convalescent Home. She was preceded in death by her husband, Herb, who died in 1982; her sons, Michael, who died in 1963, and Bernard, who died in 1978; as well as her parents, two sisters and two brothers.
Arrangements were under the direction of Webb-Sanders Funeral Home.
