July 19, 1936 €“ Feb. 27, 2009
Violet J. Mettler Lexau, 72, died Feb. 27, 2009 in Lebanon with her family at her side.
She was born July 19, 1936 in Lodi, Calif. to Richard J. and Roberta (Bender) Mettler. She attended Lodi schools and graduated with the Lodi Union High School class of 1954.
After high school she attended Humphry’s Business College, then went to work immediately in the office at Tillie Lewis foods in Stockton, Calif. She progressed through the ranks to head of personnel then retired after 26 years as payroll manager over five Tillie Lewis plants.
She married Donald L. Nichols in 1959, with that union producing one son and adding a stepdaughter to her family. She was widowed in 1976.
She met her future husband James Lexau in 1977 and they were married on May 20, 1978. This union added four more step-children to her ever-growing family.
The Lexaus built their own home in the country at Herald, Calif., where they flourished in the country air. Later they sold that home and had a home built in Galt, Calif. They loved the home but longed to live in the country again.
In 2005 they found the property they were looking for just outside of Lebanon, complete with a pond and creek running through it.
The Lexaus were members of the River of Life Fellowship in Sweet Home, where she participated in many church functions.
Mrs. Lexau enjoyed a wide range of activities, including traveling to various other states and many trips to Mexico in their
motor home. They also enjoyed fishing, boating and crabbing on the California and Oregon coast. She was an avid reader and enjoyed cross stitching, china and ceramic painting, quilt making, crocheting, gardening, cooking and could be found most any time of day happily mowing the yard on the riding mower. She excelled at everything she did.
Mrs. Lexau is survived by her husband, James Lexau; son Steven Nichols; stepchildren Pamela Nelson, Lani Perman, James Lexau, Jr., Kelly Allman and Robert Lexau, all of California; sister Mary Marsigli and brother Kenneth Mettler, both of California; 10 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brother Leo Mettler; and her first husband, Donald L. Nichols.
Viewing will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 3 at Huston-Jost Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 4, at the River of Life Fellowship in Sweet Home.
Contributions may be made to the River of Life Fellowship, sent in care of Huston-Jost Funeral Home, 86 W. Grant St., Lebanon, OR 97355.