Obituary of Viola Austad

Viola (Hammervold) Austad, beloved mother, bestemor (grandmother), and oldemor (great-grandmother) passed away on September 13, 2015 after a brief illness. Viola was born in Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey in 1926 to Norwegian parents. Upon the death of her mother when Viola was five, she and her sister moved to Norway to live with her grandparents. In 1953 Viola returned to the United States with her husband, Helge, an electrical engineer. Their goal was to spend two years in the United States while Helge received an advanced degree and then return to Norway where he would become a top expert on the latest innovation – the television. Their first child was born while Helge was studying and upon graduation he accepted a position with a US company, still intending to return to live in Norway. After the birth of additional children they decided to stay in the United States. They often returned to Norway for summer vacations. After living in various states, they settled in Readington in 1964 to raise their four children. Viola loved to knit and won many awards for her prized Norwegian sweaters. She was also an excellent seamstress, creating all types of clothing for her daughters when they were growing up. She even crafted the wedding and attendant dresses for her daughter Randi. Another favorite pastime was gardening. She grew many types of vegetables along with raspberries, blueberries and strawberries. Her green thumb made her gardens spectacular; she was especially proud of her beautiful roses and hydrangeas. She was active in the local chapter of the Sons of Norway, participating in folk dancing and teaching others how to knit. Viola was predeceased by her husband of 53 years, Helge Austad, her parents, Alf and Ovidia Hammervold and her sister, Judith Olsen. She is survived by four children: daughter, Vigdis Austad and husband, Michael Haug of Union Township, daughter, Randi Campbell and husband, Lawrence Campbell of Bethlehem Township, daughter, Helen Austad of Readington Township and son, Harald Austad and wife, Lily Ann Riley-Austad of Ridgefield Park; her four grandchildren, Katrina Campbell, Rachel Leber and her husband, Mike Leber, Jessen Haug, and Bryn Haug and her precious great-grandson, Brayden Leber. She is also survived by her brother-in-law, Edward Olsen of West Milford, several sisters-in-laws in Norway and many nieces and nephews both in the United States and in Norway. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, September 22nd at 10 am at Zion Lutheran Church in Oldwick, NJ under the direction of Kearns Funeral Home, Whitehouse, NJ. Memorial contributions may be made to Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc., Two Princess Road, Suite D, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648.