Vivian Iverson

Vivian M. Iverson, 88, of rural Waterville died Thursday, July 6, 2017 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 15 at 11 a.m. at Old East Paint Creek Lutheran Church in rural Waterville with Pastor Ken Kimball officiating. Burial will be at the church cemetery. Friends may call from 5-7 p.m. Friday, July 14 at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon.

Vivian Mildred Iverson was born December 10, 1928 in Clayton County, the daughter of Irving Theodore and Rita Elizabeth (Lestina) Hartong. She graduated as valedictorian from Waterville High School. In April of 1950, Vivian met Earl Howard Iverson at a saddle club ride; December 31 that same year they married at Old East Paint Creek Lutheran Church in rural Waterville. Vivian and Earl farmed together and she was in charge of the dairy and responsible for milking the cows.

Vivian possessed an artistic flair and, at one point, sketched their entire dairy herd along with key information into a record book. Vivian also enjoyed raising donkeys and mules, and was the founder and past president of the Upper Iowa Saddle Club. She was a member of Old East Paint Creek Lutheran Church and was active in the Naomi Circle. Vivian was a strong supporter of the Waterville school and dutifully collected box tops for them.

Never one to sit still, Vivian lived to work on the farm and, in recent years, did so by using the four-wheeler to go wherever it would take her. If it had to be done, she’d do it. She enjoyed family fishing trips to the Mississippi River and loved snowmobiling. She aspired to visit the Grand Ole Opry and Yellowstone, and she accomplished both.

A good cook, Vivian baked pies for family events and made rosettes and rømmegrøt for the church’s Norwegian suppers. Vivian was a giving, selfless person who was very patient, welcoming and witty. She kept herself well informed and educated, religiously staying current on both local and world events via avid reading.

Vivian is survived by her children, Peggy Joy (Gary Keoni) Khan of Waukon and Scott Eric (Yanhui Yu) Iverson of Adel; seven grandchildren, Christopher, Arthur and Vivian Khan, Erika and Ben Iverson, and Mark and James Fang; two sisters, Bernadine (Emmet) Jones of Lansing and Barbara (Dennis) Nebendahl of Waterville; and a sister-in-law, Darlene Cecchetti of Cheswick, PA. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Earl, in 2016; a son, Steven Iverson; and a sister, Marjorie (Ronald) Miller.

Casketbearers are Arthur and Christopher Khan, Ben Iverson, Mark and James Fang, Shawn Gibbs, Scott Ness and Jeff Molitor. Online condolences may be left at www.martinfunerals.com.