Viola Agnes Hinchen passed at the age of 93, with her family at her side, on October 22, 2023, from natural causes.
Viola was born on March 9, 1930, in Sequim, Washington. She was the oldest of four children born to Eric and Agnes Danielson both Swedish immigrants. She spent her early years living in Forks, Port Angeles, Port Townsend, and even a summer at Crescent camp where her father was the camp cook. In 1937 she was 7 years old when Franklin Roosevelt stopped at the restaurant where her father was the cook. Roosevelt was on a tour of the yet-to-be-created Olympic National Park.
The president signed her father’s cook hat which she cherished through the years. She attended schools in Forks, Port Angeles and graduated from Port Townsend High School in 1948. She was a princess in the 1947 Rhododendron Festival parade.
In 1949 she met Terry Hinchen, while waitressing at the Antler’s Cafe, and were married the following year in Forks on December 21, 1950, when Terry was home on leave from the Navy. They moved to Alameda California, where Terry was stationed. In June of 1952, they had their first child Daniel. After Terry was discharged from the Navy they moved back to Forks and lived in the Circle Projects on East Division Street. They had two more children while living there, Kevin in 1955 and Carin in 1957.
In 1959 they purchased their forever home on Shuwah Road. They raised their own cows, chickens and pigs and had a huge garden every year. Viola was a wonderful mother and loved raising her three children. Playing games, any kind of game, with family was one of her favorite things to do. She bowled for many years for the Brager Bros. bowling team. Looking for agates, clam digging, and berry picking were some of her favorite pastimes. She loved cooking and baking; a sit-down dinner every night was always a must.
Over the years she worked at the Beaver Post Office, Lefler’s General Store, bookkeeper at Hinchen Bros. Shake and Shingle, Eddie’s Rag to Riches and Leppell’s Flowers.
Viola was a very selfless person always willing to give to any organization or fundraiser. Her blackberry pies were the best! Christmas was always a special time, baking cookies and painting huge murals on the big picture window. Being a Swede, Christmas Eve was always a big meal of lutefisk, pickled herring and Swedish meatballs. Viola never missed a sporting event that Danny, Kevin, and Carin participated in.
During her later years, she loved crossword puzzles and family game nights every Saturday night.
Her grandchildren were the loves of her life. She would always light up when they were around and showered them with hugs, kisses, and cookies.
She was preceded in death by her Husband Terry, sister Darlene Sherer and brother Ron Danielson. Viola is survived by her children Danny (Carla) Hinchen, Kevin (Susie) Hinchen and Carin (George)Hirsch, her brother Jerry (Mary) Danielson of Woodburn, Oregon.
She had 9 grandchildren, Kim (Kris) Northcut, Krista (Roy) Queen, Christopher Hinchen, Shilo (Steven) Salsgiver. Sam (Christina) Hinchen, Arista (John) Hinchen, Nerissa (Ronnie) Davis, Sonja (Dan) Peterson and Mike (Corinne) Hirsch. She also had 20 great-grandchildren and many nephews and nieces.
Memorial donations can be made to Soroptimist International of the Rainforest, SOS Fund, PO Box 502, Forks, WA, American Legion Post 106, 651 East Division Street, Forks, WA, or a charity of your choice.
