Santini-Elton, Viola A.

Viola A. Santini-Elton, 83, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, died Sunday, Oct. 27, 2013, at St. Luke's. There will be no services. Her wishes where to be cremated and her ashes to be scattered in Wisconsin, a beautiful state which she loved. Arrangements by Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cedar Rapids.

Survivors include her son, David of Cedar Rapids; beloved granddaughter, Hollyann Leigh (Daniel) Huygens of Sioux Falls, S.D.; daughter, Yvonne (Steve) Walsh of Livonia, Mich. and their son Steven; and one brother, Leonard Santini of North Charleroi, Pa.

Viola was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Byron G. Elton; and her brothers, Wayne “Sandy” Santini and Eugene Santini.

Viola was born in Chaleroi, Pa., on Feb. 22, 1930, to Edmund and Beatrice Santini. She married Byron G. Elton, of Delta, Ohio, on June 27, 1959. Viola was employed at Lee Norse Company of Pennsylvania before becoming a full-time wife and mother. She retired from Wells Fargo Bank in Cedar Rapids after a long tenure there. Viola was extremely proud of her Italian heritage and passed many gems, values and memories of that heritage to her son, David and granddaughter, Hollyann. She loved to watch birds, read mystery novels, tend to her flower gardens and listen to the music of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Tony Bennett, Michael Bublé and Southern Gospel male quartets.

Viola carried with her a quiet dignity, a deep resolute faith in God and keen wisdom. Through the many challenges and trials that she faced throughout life, she never, never, never, gave up. She endured.

Memorials may be made to St. Luke's Hospice, 290 Blairs Ferry Rd. NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402.

Please sign the online guest book for Viola at under obituaries.

Published in The Gazette Oct. 29, 2013.