Vivian E. Wheeler

Vivian Esther Wheeler passed away on Feb. 15, 2016 in Bothell, WA at the age of 97. She was born on May 16, 1918 to David and Ida Rhynas near Aneta, North Dakota. She was the second oldest of 8 children and was a real go-getter from the very beginning. She graduated from Logan Center High School in 1936 where she was a strong competitor on the women’s basketball team at 5’2”. She went on to work her way through Mayville Teachers’ College. Vivian married Harold Wheeler in June of 1940. She taught in a traditional one-room schoolhouse in rural North Dakota until the war years when she and Harold moved to Poulsbo, WA to help with the war effort. In 1946 they, along with their young daughter, Patricia, moved back to N.D. and purchased a farm near Aneta. Two more children, David and Vicki, were born during these years. Vivian was an exceptionally hard worker, growing and canning food for the family and working alongside Harold on the farm. In 1956 they relocated to Seattle, where Vivian’s parents lived, and purchased their home in Alki . Vivian attended Seattle University while raising her family and substitute teaching. She earned her B.A. in Education in 1964. She taught kindergarten for many years at Roxhill Elementary in West Seattle, impacting the lives of many young children. Many of her students kept in touch with her over the years and she always loved hearing from them. In their retirement years, Vivian and Harold enjoyed their cabin on Maggie Lake. They also traveled extensively, visiting Scotland a number of times to connect with relatives in her father’s birthplace. They enjoyed 52 years of marriage until Harold’s death in 1992. Vivian was a longtime member of First Lutheran Church in West Seattle. She found it very rewarding to make quilts for the needy with the First Lutheran quilting group. Vivian loved quilting and crocheting. She also created many fine pieces of hardanger, a beautiful form of Scandinavian embroidery. She excelled at doing crossword puzzles and kept her mind active with them into the last year of her life. Vivian also enjoyed her garden well into her 90s, growing lovely flowers and delicious vegetables in her backyard. Passersby often stopped to admire her beautiful and productive backyard. She lived in her Alki home until she was 95 years old – over 57 years. She then moved to Madison House Retirement and Assisted Living for 2 ½ years, enjoying her little apartment, well-prepared meals and housekeeping services. However, she always felt she should be doing something productive! For her, sitting in her recliner and napping whenever the opportunity arose was a real luxury! Vivian is survived by her two daughters, Patricia Stensel (David) and Vicki Brakke. Her son, David Wheeler, preceded her in death in 2015, her husband Harold in 1992. She is also survived by her youngest sister, Shirley Murray (Sandy) of Auburn, Wa. Vivian leaves 5 loving grandchildren: Janelle Zook, Timothy Wheeler, Nicole Schueller, Jeff Burns and Kari Stokes. She also leaves 9 loving great-grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren. Vivian will be missed by her family for her can-do spirit and her focus on family traditions and togetherness.