Viola M. Bogoslavsky

Viola “Vi” Mae Duelmer Bogoslavsky, 95, passed from this life on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024. She was born July 31, 1928, in Shoal Creek, Arkansas, the fourth of Anton (Tony) and Marie Duelmer’s nine children.

Vi grew up on her parents’ Shoal Creek farm until she moved to Paris, Arkansas, at 13 to work, getting her first job in retail. When her father tragically drowned, she moved back home to help her mother, who soon after decided to move to North Little Rock. Vi helped her mother make the move, then ended up getting a job at M.M. Cohn, later leaving to move with her sister Lou to Fort Smith. Vi again got a job in retail, advancing up the ranks to become manager, then a “troubleshooter” who traveled across the area helping stores that encountered problems. 

While in Fort Smith she met her future husband Leonard at a New Years Party. Vi, a self-described “snot,” juggled numerous boyfriends, but Leonard pursued her heavily.   Even after she moved away from Fort Smith, Leonard would visit her.  Leonard continued his pursuit with endless proposals, one of which she eventually accepted. They were married Feb. 23, 1957, and made their home in Fort Smith. She stopped working to stay at home and raise her two sons, Abe and Bruce.  She was active with Immaculate Conception Church in Fort Smith and various other volunteer organizations.

 Vi returned to the workforce when her boys were older, working the Estee Lauder counter at the Boston Store and then at Dillard’s.  She was especially proud of the fact that she was a Pacesetter every year she worked at Dillard’s.  She continued to work there until she retired and moved to North Little Rock to be near her family and grandchildren, Abby and Allen.  In addition to spending time with her grandchildren, Vi enjoyed spending time at the NLRAC and the Hayes Center, playing Bridge with new friends and old.  She was an active member of Immaculate Conception in North Little Rock.

Vi was an amazing mom and grandmother, always ready to hit a sale with her sisters, jump into the foam pit at a birthday party, or roll around on the floor to play with her grandchildren -- which was entertaining considering how impeccably dressed she always was. She enjoyed family gatherings and was a dedicated believer in eating dessert before dinner. Her family also bragged that if you had an unanswered prayer, ask Vi to pray a rosary for you.  When she quit driving, and was home more, she always had her rosary with her and prayed often during the day.

Vi is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Leonard Bogoslavsky; three brothers, Gilbert Duelmer, Leon Duelmer, and Louis “Bud” Duelmer; and three sisters, Irene Wright, Henrietta Cathell, and Lucille “Lou” Davis. She is survived by two sons, Abe Bogoslavsky of North Little Rock (Becky) and Bruce Bogoslavsky of Orlando, FL; two grandchildren, Abby Bogoslavsky and Allen Bogoslavsky; two sisters, Helen Garr and Bobbie Faulk; a sister-in-law, Linda Duelmer; and numerous nieces and nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews.

There will be a visitation on Friday, February 16, 2024 at Smith North Little Rock Funeral Home from 5:00 – 7:00, followed by a rosary.

A Catholic Funeral Mass will take place at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 17, 2024 at Immaculate Conception Church in North Little Rock.