Huffman, Vivian G.

Vivian G. Huffman, 89, of Waukon, died Monday, April 18, 2011, at the Good Samaritan Center in Waukon. Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. Saturday, April 30, at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon, with Pastor Tom Buresh officiating. Burial will be at Oakland Cemetery, Waukon. Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Vivian Genevieve Nipper Huffman was born Sept. 18, 1921, at Waukon Junction, Iowa, the daughter of Elvis and Cora (Atall) Nipper. She attended the rural school in Waukon Junction and graduated from Waukon High School in 1939, with a Normal Training Certificate. She had to wait 25 days until Sept. 18, 1939, when she turned 18, to begin teaching. She taught several years in rural schools at a salary of $65 a month. By the end of her teaching career, she was receiving $175 a month.

On March 10, 1940, she married Vernon Huffman, who had a Shell Gas Station and convenience store. She continued teaching at Rossville, where they lived for several years, until they decided to enlarge the business, carrying groceries and hunting and fishing supplies.

Vivian joined the Rossville Presbyterian Church and became the organist, a position she held for over 64 years. She was very active in her church, holding all offices and never said “no” to any job.

She was also a 50-year member of the Rebekah Lodge. Vivian was very active with community events and enjoyed visiting her many friends in the hospital and area nursing homes.

After Vernon's death in 1986, she became an avid hunter and fisherman. She went turkey hunting when she was in her 70s and got a turkey each season. She enjoyed life and thanked God for all the things He gave her.

Vivian's good sense of humor, infectious laugh, and willingness to help whenever she could made her a friend to everyone.

Survivors include her sister, Verla (Pastor Willis) Longer of Monticello; five nieces, Cindy Barr, Lynn (Ron) Millsap, Jill (Mike) Kach, Patty Marr and Corlyn (Joe) Schreck; three nephews, Doug (Kay) Merino, Kirk (Denise) Nipper and Wayne Longer; great-nieces, Tara Millsap, Jennifer Cole, Linsey and Chelsea Kach, Ashley Grobstitch, Nicole and Brianne Marr, Ambrea and Adara Merino, Abbi Schreck and Velocity Longer; great-nephews, Ryan Millsap, Chip Marr and Ben Schreck; great-great-nieces, Amanda Cole and Reese Grobstitch; and a very special friend, Wilbur Wilson.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Vernon; and two brothers, Norman and Elvis “Bud” Nipper.

In lieu of flowers, memorials will be appreciated.

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