Toomer, Vivian M. (1924-2005)
TOOMER, GREGERSEN, NEILSEN, GERDES, COON, TOOMER-SMITH, COON-GROOTERS, SMITH, GROOTERS, SWANSON-HOLSTEIN, SAMUELSON
Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 2/17/2010 at 16:28:27
Vivian M. Toomer - Feb. 26, 1924 - Nov. 26, 2005
Vivian M. Toomer, age 81, of Storm Lake, Iowa, died Saturday, November 26, 2005, at the Buena Vista Regional Medical Center in Storm Lake, Iowa.
Vivian Marie Gregersen was born on February 26, 1924, in Saratoga, Iowa, where she lived until the age of five. Her Danish family (father Adolf Marinus Gregersen, mother Maren Marie Neilsen-Gregersen, two sisters, Lillian and Clara and one brother Kenneth) moved to Alta, Iowa, in 1929. She attended Fairview School and remembers sleigh rides and gifts of apples and oranges at Christmas time. Vivian especially loved music and learning as a child. She was confirmed at the Emmanuel / Trinity Lutheran Church of Alta and grew up and lived most of her young life there. Following her graduation from Fairview High School, Vivian attended Buena Vista College receiving her degree in education and later a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education. She taught school at Linn Grove, Marathon, Nemaha and Crestland of Early.
In 1947, Vivian married Donald Keith Toomer of Nemaha. Together, they made their home on a dairy farm in Nemaha. They had four children, farmed and owned and operated the Nemaha Lumber Co. Vivian was a very active member of the United Methodist Church in Nemaha, serving as the church organist and choir director for over 30 years. She was also instrumental in keeping music alive in her community and inspired many to love and enjoy music as she did. After her husband Donald died in 1996, she moved to Storm Lake, Iowa. She joined St. Mark Lutheran Church where she also became active in music ministry. In her twilight years, Vivian still enjoyed music, became interested in poetry, was an avid reader and life long learner. She loved her home, crossword puzzles and seeing family and friends.
Survivors include her son, Greg Toomer and Elaine Gerdes of Early, Iowa; daughters: Anita Coon and husband Jay of Early, Iowa, Valerie Toomer of Eden Prairie, Minnesota, and Jennifer Toomer of Minneapolis, Minnesota; six grandchildren: Lisa Toomer of Des Moines, Iowa, Mark Toomer and wife Rebecca of Midlothian, Texas, Erin Toomer-Smith and husband Tim of Storm Lake, Iowa, John Toomer of Iowa City, Iowa, Joshua Coon and wife Christi of Smyrna, Tennessee, and Gabrielle Coon-Grooters and husband Scott of Hermitage, Tennessee; six great grandchildren: Miranda Toomer, Gillian Toomer, Gavin Toomer, Samuel Toomer, Bennett Smith, and Austin Grooters; sisters, Lillian Swanson-Holstein of Alta, Iowa, and Clara Samuelson and husband Melvin of Storm Lake, Iowa; brother Kenneth Gregersen and wife Evelyn of Phoenix, Arizona; brother-in-law Edward Toomer and wife Gail of Storm lake; and extended family and friends.
Vivian was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Donald.
Funeral service will be held on Saturday, December 3, 2005, at 10:30 am at St. Mark Lutheran Church in Storm Lake with Pastor Connie Spitzack officiating. Burial will be in Nemaha Cemetery in Nemaha, Iowa. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home of Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements.
Friends may call from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. where the family will be present from 6 – 8 p.m. Memorials honoring Vivian may be mailed to Buena Vista Regional Medical Center, 1525 West 5th Street, Storm Lake, Iowa 50588. Please note whether you wish the memorial to benefit the oncology or hospice department at the hospital.
Copyright © 2005, Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home
Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home
Buena Vista Obituaries maintained by LaVern Velau.
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