Dixon, Vivian E.

Vivian E. Dixon, 93, of Toledo, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2011, at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines of natural causes. Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Monday, Nov. 28, at Christ United Methodist Church Worship Center in Toledo, with Pastor Brian Oliver officiating. Interment will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery in Toledo. Visitation will be Sunday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Kruse-Phillips Funeral Home in Tama.

Vivian was born June 1, 1918, near Oxford Junction, Jones County, Iowa, the daughter of Eugene H. and Jennie (Bieber) Griffis. The family moved to Cedar County, where she received her education at Snaggy Ridge, Rochester Township No. 6. On March 24, 1937, she was united in marriage to Welby Jesse Dixon of Toledo. They farmed all of their married life north of Toledo. They were the parents of three children, Glenn, Alice and Lori.

Vivian was still living in her own home, doing her own housekeeping until she was taken to Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines on Oct. 15, 2011, and then transferred to Sunny Hill Skilled Nursing for rehab.

She was the co-chairman of the Tama County Homemakers; active on the Woodlawn Cemetery board; taught Adult Bible Class and was church pianist and organist for 40 years at Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church. Vivian sang in the Farm Bureau Chorus and was also a charter member of the group. She also sang in the Methodist Choir in Toledo after Pleasant Hill was closed. Vivian was secretary to the Ruth Circle in the UMW and a member of the Stitch & Go Quilt Club, TOPS, and Farm Bureau. She loved to read and piece quilts, making a quilt for each member of her family.

Preceding her in death were her parents; husband, Welby on March 22, 1986; son, Glenn (Rosie) in 1999; granddaughter, Rebecca in 1982; and nine brothers and sisters, Voyle Helble, Ruth Weiman, Zella Henning, Ilda Gerber, Violet Wilson, Virgil Griffis, Hazel Heldt, Dorothy Webb and Lee Griffis.

Survivors include two daughters, Alice Chizek of Traer and Lori (Charles) Johnson of Toledo; four grandchildren, Dave (Lisa) Chizek of Toledo, Julie Green of Traer and Dwayne and Nicole Johnson, both of Toledo; six great-grandchildren, Malynda, Daniel (Angel), Nicholas and Kelly Chizek, Jesse (Amber) Chizek and Kacey (Stephen) Johnston; four great-great-grandchildren, Mason, Alexis, Hunter and Melody; four sisters-in-law, Venetta Lashmitt, Orleene Mason, Marietta (Homer) Davis and Martha (Phillip) Butterfield; and a host of nieces, nephews and special friends.

A memorial fund has been established.

Published Nov. 26, 2011, in The Gazette