Vivian Hawkins

Vivian Frances Hawkins Resident of Corvallis for 55 years Vivian was born on July 18, 1917 in Adrian, Minnesota and grew up in Milbank, South Dakota. She passed on while sleeping at home in Corvallis on August 26, 2015. She was 98. Survived by: wonderful friend and companion Harland Pratt, daughter Judy Mutch and her husband Jim, grandson William Mutch, granddaughter Alicia Mutch and her husband John Lundblad, her great granddaughter Emily Lundblad, sisters Jane Hinsvark of Aurora, Colorado, Myrtle Pollard of Wichita Falls, Texas and Phyllis Hanner of Milbank, South Dakota. She would say on a regular basis that she was lucky to have married three good men. She was predeceased by husbands Kenneth Thompson, Leland Chambers and Jim Hawkins. Vivian grew up during the Great Depression and experienced great swings between wealth and poverty. These experiences forged her frugal character. She was among the oldest of 14 children and survived 10 of her siblings. Everyone describes her as a determined and strong woman and a very hard worker. One of her favorite activities up until the very end was baking bread and desserts for family and those who had helped her out in some way. As a baby she had both the Spanish flu and smallpox. No one expected her to live. She did! As an older child she had an acute form of crippling rheumatism. No one expected her to walk again. She did! In her prime, up until a few years ago, she walked 6 – 8 miles a day. She loved bright colors, and Corvallis residents could often see her walking in her red suit and signature fur hat. As a young woman growing up in South Dakota, dancing was one of her favorite hobbies. She told many stories about dancing to live performances by Lawrence Welk and his band. During her life in Corvallis, she took pride in doing her own yard work and was particularly proud of having a tidy and well kept lawn and flower beds. In her 90’s she experienced separately two broken hips and a fractured vertebra. Everyone told her she wouldn’t be able to live independently again. With the help of loving friends and her innate resiliency and determination, she did, and achieved her goal of being able to pass quietly in her own home. Her last words were, “Don’t worry about me, I’m a strong woman.” It is rare to meet anyone like her in a lifetime. We’re all lucky to have known her and love her very much. In lieu of flowers or donations of any kind, please pass along acts of kindness to all. Her family will celebrate her life in a private memorial service.

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Vivian Hawkins

July 18, 1917 - August 26, 2015