Viola (Greenlee) Baudendistel was born Dec 1, 1908 in the small western Iowa town of Griswald. Her parents worked a poor dirt farm where her father, Robert, died shortly after being kicked by a horse. She and her younger brother were both very young. After graduating high school, Viola entered nursing school and a few years later volunteered for the Army Air Corps right after the United States entered World War II.

Viola first served at a small military base before being sent abroad to work at a variety of military hospitals. When the war ended, she continued to serve as a nurse in Germany and attained the rank of Captain.

She was reassigned to work at Colorado's Fitzsimmons Army Hospital where she worked until her retirement in the 1960's. After moving to Aurora, she met and married retired Army Major, Robert Baudendistel.

Viola loved her work as a nurse. She particularly enjoyed working with young people and those who were just entering the profession. She was a role model and mentor to several young people over the years.