Happy Birthday, Violet Relph

Violet (Trembly) Smith - Relph was born on May 1, 1930 on the family farm in Kansas a few miles southwest of Haigler, Nebraska to Floyd and Mattie (Douglass) Trembly. The family lived on the farm while Violet was growing up. She and her two brothers, Verle , known as Stub Trembly and Vernon attended grade school at the Grand View country school. Violet attended high school in Haigler and graduated in 1947, when she was 16 and the same year her parents bought the Trembly Grocery Store. It stands on the same corner where the Clifton Hotel stood in the early days of Haigler history. The Family Market store is now operated by Violet’s daughter Lavonne Jaeger. Violet is “at work” at the store most days and greets customers and helps with checking out customer orders, stocking shelves and other “duties” that she can do.

Violet was married to Gilbert A. Smith in 1948 and they had two sets of twins, LaVoine & LaVonne in 1951 and LaVern and LaVeta in 1955. Gilbert worked in the Trembly Grocery store as the meat cutter and butcher for many years. You could always count on getting the best cuts from him. Gilbert passed away in August 1969.

In 1949, at the age of 18, Violet began working as the substitute clerk at the Haigler Post Office and in 1967, she became the Postmaster, a position she held for 48 years until she had a stroke and had to give up the job she loved so much.

Violet married again to Willard Relph, on March 12, 1971. They merged their two families of the “Smith Town Kids” and the “Relph Country Kids” which included two sets of Smith twins LaVerne & LaVeta and LaVoine & LaVonne and a set of Relph twins, Julia & Janice and a son Jimmy. The family lived on the Relph farm west of Haigler where Violet still lives.

Violet is grandmother of 13 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.

• LaVern & Laura:
• LaVeta & Tim Blecha: Brandon, Brock, Bryce, Brent
• LaVoine & Glenda:
• LaVonne: Sammy and Crystal Jaeger
• Jim & Chris Relph: Joshua, Heidi, Jason
• Sean & Julia (Relph) Siegrist: Roxanne and Kelly
• Steve & Janice (Relph) Twiss: Mackenzie and Garrett.

Violet loves visiting with everyone who stops in the store. She is always friendly and cheerful and remembers everyone that grew up around Haigler. Whenever a visitor comes to town looking for information about someone who “used to live here”, she usually can answer their questions or knows where to find it.

May 1 is Violet’s 77th birthday and we all wish her the very best day ever!

Violet always has a smile and is always helpful to each and every person she sees. If we all could be as sincere and always find the good in everyone, what a wonderful life it would be!

Happy Birthday Violet!
Love, Gene & Linda Jones

I never seen Violet angry, upset or speak an unkind word to or about anybody. I wish we all could learn from Violet’s character as a person. These tributes commemorate a very pleasant lady. A pillar in the community of Haigler and an outstanding, steadfast, cheerful person. I am certain that her children are the same.

HAPPY BITHDAY VIOLET
DALLAS ADAMS
HAPPY BIRTHDAY VIOLET

I miss having coffee with you and your family.
We were neighbors for many years.
Calvin Freehling

Violet has such a kind heart. I can't miss this opportunity to add my thoughts of appreciation for her. I enjoyed her children's participation in Bible School and other youth activities. It was such a pleasure to observe their respect, enthusiasm and interest in all the activities. I am sure their conduct reflected the influence and support of their parents. Violet has the rare ability to make everyone feel special and appreciated. I can't imagine her ever having any enemies. Her friendliness and helpfulness always stood out, whether in the Post Office, in the store or wherever. She keeps working in spite of the pain she must have from crippling arthritis but you never hear her complain. What an inspiration her life is to all who know her.

-- Floy Ruggles

Violet Relph has been our neighbor and friend for a good many years. She was our friendly postmaster in the Haigler Post Office for many years always with a friendly smile and greeting to all. After her retirement, she helped LaVonne in the store, always willing to aid us in any way, always cheerful and friendly. Violet had raised four children, twins, Laverne and Laveta, and LaVonne and Lavoine, who were twins. When she married Willard Relph, she again had a set of twins, Janice and Julia and Jimmy Relph to help finish raising. All have grown up to be friendly, hard working citizens. Violet continues to be a help and greeter in the Family Market of Haigler.

We appreciate her presence in the store with LaVonne, always ready and willing to give assistance where needed,with her pleasant and happy smile. She has accomplished much!

HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, VIOLET. And may you have many more happy birthdays!

Sincerely, Don and Virginia Harford

Violet (Trembly) (Smith) Relph is a true Haigler gem. Her wit and wisdom make Haigler history come alive. Happy Birthday to a grand lady!

---- Stanley and LaNeta Carlock
Hi Violet,

Gene and I want to wish you a very happy birthday and hope that it will be a "Great Day" for you.

Gene was telling me that he believed that a Trembley bought his familys farm on the Green's corner,many years ago.

--Gene and Vie Pennell

Dwight and I and our whole family wish to tell you "Happy Birthday" from Tucson Arizona. I remember when you and Gilbert were married. I remember how blessed I thought you were when both sets of twins were born. I had never heard of that happening before, and now reading on the "Haigler Blog" about your life - I didn't remember that Willard also had twins. What a "blessed" life you have had. I remember very fondly of your folks at the store. My dad charged groceries and paid up at harvest time. How did people do that? It seems like one year the bill was almost $600. Your parents had to sacrifice and have great trust in people of Haigler.

I too, like my sister Sherri - did not attend school in Haigler, but it is still MY HOME TOWN. I love coming "home" and driving around town to remember where everyone lives and used to live.

Dwight and I will be in St. Francis at our little house there during most of the month of May, and I hope I have the chance to come to Haigler - I will make sure to stop in the store to say HI.

Thanks for being there and such a good person for us to remember Haigler and the Post Office for.

Leah Gregory Brewer



Hi,
One more short story to and about Violet Relph. I think it was Christmas '67 or maybe '68 and one of Mom's Folks had fallen ill. I can't really remember the details. I was very young. Anyway, Mom and Dad had to travel to Elkhart, KS to be with Mom's Folks and my sister Norma and I stayed with Violet and her family.

Being Christmas and all Violet wanted to be sure that Norma and I were included in the festivities and gave me a "superball" as a Christmas gift. These things were hard rubber and about two inches in diameter and one bounce would send them on an erratic and usually destructive journey around the house. I don't think those balls are even legal anymore! In any case, I managed to break a few Christmas Tree ornaments with it and Violet took it all in stride and never lost her smile. It was only after Mom and Dad returned home that Mom promptly confiscated the Superball and I never saw it again. Actually, Mom "traded" the superball for a 16 pound bowling ball that I couldn't even lift but that is another story.

Happy Birthday Violet! Sorry about the Christmas Tree. To know you is to love you.

Roger Douglass


I remember Violet always having a nice (full face and eyes) smile and always being so helpfull.
Happy Birthday and many more.
-- Eunice Tucker


Happy Birthday Mom! Glenda thinks that you are the best Mother-in-law in the whole wide world and I think she is right! We both hope that you have a very great day!
We love you,
LaVoine & Glenda



Happy Birthday Grandma! Wish I could be there.

Love, Brent

Happy Birthday Violet!!! When you and Gilbert were married I stayed at your house so I could go to High School. I never did thank you. It means alot to me. Sometimes I would do the dishes after breakfast which always gave you a big smile and a grin, you felt more like a sister to me than a sister in law and you still do! You are always making me feel welcome anytime I come to see you at the store or farm, always have a big grin for everyone.

Again, we love you! Happy Birthday.. Lloyd and Angie Smith

The thing I remember most growing up about Violet was her working in the Trembly grocery store. It was always a treat when my parents would go to town on a Saturday night -- that happened about once in a Blue Moon. At that time there were three grocery stores although the one my parents traded at was Trembly's. I would hit all three but make my BIG purchase -- usually a candy bar or maybe a bottle of pop -- at Trembly's. Violet was usually there helping her parents, Floyd and Mattie.
-- Karen Harford

Happy Birthday to the happiest person I know. It was wonderful to jog down the Haigler Memory Lane with you and the Trembly cousins. Come see us again (but you'll probably want to wait until after summer). Love you.

Patti Poe, Chandler, AZ


Hi! Violet
Hope you have a great Birthday with family and friends around. This was a neat idea so everyone can send you greetings. The day we spent with you exploring the family homesteads was a real treat and fun. Hope we can do something like it again.
Love, Esther Poe

Aunt Violet, As a little girl I remember your home always being filled with lots of laughter, music and food. When Uncle Gilbert was still with us, I remember you all came to visit us in Commerce city and when you left to go home you took my whole little litter of kittens. I cryed for days. HaHA

I love you and God bless you! Kellie

Happy Birthday to you Violet. I have so many memories of you and your family and always look forward to seeing you when I go home. Never have I walked into the store without getting a big smile and hug from you. So even though this is late, once again, I hope your "Special Day" was very happy.

Love to you

Karen Lindell

Happy Birthday Violet! We hope you had a great day!
Love, Juan, Sandra, Juan Jr., and Julie

Happy Birthday Aunt Violet! You are the warmest sweetest person we know.
Sending all our Love from Arizona,
Cathy, Randy, Jeffrey and Tanner


(Feel free to add your Birthday Wishes by clicking on the word "Comments" below or send an email to Sherri) - All greetings will continue to be posted even if belated.