Vivienne Katherine Wiese

Vivienne Katherine Wiese of Portland, Oregon, beloved wife of the late Arthur John Wiese, who preceded her in death in August, 2011, passed away of natural causes in the early morning of December 27, 2021.

Mother, grandmother and great grandmother, she was the oldest and last surviving child of five children (Dorothy, Robert, Kenneth and Richard) of Alex and Katherine Hango. She is survived by her sister-in-law Marion Hango, daughter Kathryn Ann Rafferty (Richard); sons Peter (Laurel Rakestraw), Arthur (Christiane), Chuck (Patty) and Mark (Danelle) Wiese.

Vivienne was born in McMinnville, OR, spent her early years in Brocket, ND and moved back to Oregon shortly after her father died in 1928. The family settled first in Amity, OR, then Odell, OR where she attended high school and finally in Hood River where her mother worked as a nurse. Her mother Katherine contracted meningitis and passed away when Vivienne was in her teenage years. Vivienne and her four siblings were taken in by their aunt and uncle who lived in Hood River. Vivienne attended Marylhurst College and University of Oregon obtaining her teaching certificate in 1942. She was a passionate elementary school teacher in the Portland public school system over the next several decades.

Vivienne married Arthur John Wiese on August 25, 1947 in St. Stephens Church in Portland, OR and was happily married to Arthur for 64 years. They settled in All Saints Parish where they raised a family of five children who attended All Saints School, and they were actively involved in parish life. Vivienne served as a substitute teacher at All Saints, was actively involved in parish fundraisers, served hot lunch in the cafeteria, served in the Altar Society and contributed financially to the parish for many decades. Vivienne was a major benefactress to Mt. Angel Seminary, University of Portland, Marylhurst College and Central Catholic High School. She was also a Lady of the Equestrian Order of the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre.

Vivienne enjoyed vacationing at the Oregon Coast with her extended family including brothers and sisters, in-laws, aunts and uncles and nephews and nieces. Wonderful train trips with extended family were also made to the East Coast. After retiring, Vivienne also enjoyed travel with Arthur, family and friends to Italy, the Holy Land, and Hawaii where many Christmas vacations were celebrated.

Vivienne was blessed with eleven grandchildren (Brian Rafferty, Molly Strutz (Rafferty), Nina Steigerwald (Wiese), Leticia Buchheit (Wiese) , Tatjana Kanashiro (Wiese), Johann Wiese, Alexander Wiese, Juliane Wiese, Roland Luthi, Alexander Luthi, Dennis Luthi whom she loved very much and took an active part in their lives by attending little league games, dance performances and myriad other activities. Vivienne also took great joy in her twelve great grandchildren that eventually followed.

Vivienne also became a major caregiver to her mother-in-law, Margaret Wiese, providing kindness and care for many years. This exemplified who Vivienne was and was a direct reflection of her early life experiences: her tragic losses, the love and kindness she received from others, living through the great depression and a world war and the joy of building a family together with someone she loved. She was like a soft rain tempering the storms of life with goodwill towards all and a smile that could bring out the sun. A true example to us all, and we are truly thankful for her life and thank the Lord that we were able to so fully share in it.