Violet V. Nordby

Violet V. (Rolls) Nordby, age 72, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on July 12, 2025, at Mary Lanning Healthcare in Hastings, Nebraska, after a short and courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.

A celebration of her life will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, July 18, 2025, at Evangelical Free Church in Hastings, with Pastor Scott DeWitt officiating. Visitation will be Thursday, July 17 from 1:00 to 7:00 p.m., with family present from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Butler Volland Funeral Home. Memorials may be directed to the Morrison Cancer Center. To view a livestream of the service, go to Violet’s obituary and click the play button towards the bottom of the page. 

Born August 26, 1952, to Kenneth and Vera (Mohlman) Rolls at Mary Lanning Hospital, Violet was raised in Trumbull, Nebraska. She graduated from Trumbull High School in 1970 and went on to earn her LPN from Central Community College and later her RN from College of St. Mary’s. Her nursing career spanned decades.

Violet married Robert Nordby on January 29, 1972. Together, they raised a blended family of five children, Mike, Julie, Shawn, Shane, and Candice.

Violet’s faith was the cornerstone of her life. She was never shy about sharing the love of “her Jesus” with anyone who crossed her path. She especially loved kids, and had an extraordinary way of turning strangers into family. She was also known for having a style of her own, seen through her signature bright outfits and bold accessories.

She is survived by her brother, Bruce Rolls of Minatare; sisters, Leota Rolls of Hastings and Wauneta Montague of Lynchburg, VA; children Mike Nordby of California, Julie (Ric) Hallett of Hastings, Shawn (Monica) Nordby of Hastings, Shane (Jacki) Nordby of Kearney, and Candice Nordby of Hastings; grandchildren Danielle Nordby, Cayleen Nordby, Nicole (Zach) Hollister, Austin Glover, Logan Nordby, Alexis Nordby, Rylan Nordby, Kylar Nordby, Reece Nordby, and Nathan Nordby; and seven great grandkids.

She was preceded in death by her parents Kenneth and Vera Rolls, her husband Robert, and her brothers Keith, Dean, and David Rolls.