Viola S. Ergen

Viola S. Ergen, a longtime resident of Oak Ridge, peacefully passed at home with family on Tuesday, May 21.

Born Sept. 10, 1915, in Minneapolis, Minn., daughter to Otto and Anna Siebenthal, Viola began her early career by typing recipes for Betty Crocker. She went on to become the first woman to graduate with a BBA in accounting from the University of Minnesota in 1936. Viola then became senior accountant for the university and later worked as a statistician for the Gallup Poll in Princeton, N.J.

Viola enjoyed being a member of the Minneapolis Hiking Club, which is where she met her husband, Dr. William Krasny Ergen (deceased 1971), a physicist known internationally for his work in nuclear reactor safety, for his coining of the phrase “China Syndrome” in 1967, and for his tenure on the Nuclear Reactor Safety Board. In 1947, they settled in Oak Ridge, where they raised their five children.

After the early death of her husband, Viola began working as the business manager for the Oak Ridge Children’s Museum. She announced her retirement 15 years later. Two weeks after attending a party in her honor (and receiving a new car from her five children), Viola announced that she was “coming out of retirement” and worked at the museum for another 15 years. Viola continued to volunteer at the museum until just before her death. In 2012, the museum garden was dedicated in her honor.

Throughout Viola’s life, numerous organizations benefited from her generous spirit of volunteerism. One such organization especially close to Viola’s heart was the Girl Scouts, where she began volunteering in 1954, and she continued her membership and service for more than 50 years.

A faithful member of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, a lifetime member of the American Association of University Women, a member of the League of Women Voters, a volunteer for the University of Tennessee Arboretum, local schools, and Oak Ridge Historical Society, Viola unsurprisingly received countless awards and recognition for her abundant goodwill.

Aside from work and volunteering, Viola was an avid reader, especially of mystery novels. She also enjoyed gardening, traveling, taking ORICL classes, hiking, and spending time with her family and friends.

Viola is survived by her five children and their spouses, Anne (Dan), John, Fred (Maribeth), Charlie (Cantey), and Mary (Chris); 15 grandchildren and their spouses, Marit, Ben, Will, William (Elizabeth), John (Amanda), Tom, Elise, Katie (Riley), Chris, Chase, Kerry, Courtney, Logan, Mason, and Juliana; two great-grandchildren, Louis and Luna; one niece; two nephews; and her beloved dog, Evee.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, May 26, at 1:30 p.m. at St. Stephens Episcopal Church with the Rev. Dr. Craig Kallio officiating. A Celebration of her Life will follow in a reception at the church. Interment in Oak Ridge Memorial Park is private.

The family asks that memorials be made to the Children’s Museum, 461 West Outer Dr., Oak Ridge, TN 37830 or to St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 212 N. Tulane Avenue, Oak Ridge, TN 37830.

Weatherford Mortuary is in charge of the arrangements. An online guest book can be signed at www.weatherfordmortuary.com.