Vivian Louden

Vivian Jeanne Louden passed away at home on September 7, 2015 in the company of her husband, her children, and several grandchildren. She was born March 20, 1932, to Andrew and Lucille Brasesco in Portland, OR. She was the oldest of four girls. She met Dave Louden while they were students at Franklin High School and married him on May 14, 1950. The Loudens eventually settled in Keizer to raise their family. She lovingly raised her six children through all steps of life: large vegetable and flower gardens, canning, cooking, and day trip adventures. She taught kindness, fairness, thoughtfulness and resilience. In addition to being an amazing mom, Vivian was involved with her community. As a member of Junior League she assisted building floats for the Rose Festival, promoting voluntary seat belt installation, and training a league-sponsored Mrs. Oregon contestant. As secretary she wrote the league’s sympathy card to Mrs. Kennedy. She was a Den Mother for scouts for many years. At forty, she went back to school to become a nurse. She did many types of nursing and had the good fortune to attend and assist with the births of many of her grandchildren. She became known to many as “Tutu”, Hawaiian for grandmother. In retirement, she and Dave moved to Albany, where she was a Smart Reader volunteer and a Master Gardener. She loved to travel. She would spend months on the Big Island of Hawaii and visited all western states over the years, as well as British Columbia, Canada. She loved the coast and spent many spring breaks with her kids at Honeyman State Park, rain or shine, and later at the annual August Honeyman reunion. At home she loved family dinners and was always asked to bring her exceptional potato salad and bunt cakes. Vivian is survived by Dave, her husband of 65 years, and all of her children: Jeanene Louden (Jim Folts) and Andrew Louden (Kathryn) of Corvallis, David Louden of Keizer, Gail Louden (Denver Wood) of Monroe, Joyce Louden of Honokaa, April Spring of Springfield, “daughter” Ellen Fuller of Corvallis, and two sisters (Billie Hangland and Jackie Hewitt), 13 grandchildren, and three (soon to be four) great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her sister, Mae Hoffmeister, a daughter-in-law, and three grandchildren. There will be a celebration of Vivian’s life Friday, September 18, 2pm at the Adair Officer’s Club. Memorial contributions may be made to the Patient Access Network Foundation, PO Box 221858, Charlotte, NC, 28222 or at http://fundraise.panfoundation.org/vivianlouden. Vivian asked that Amy Louise Kerwell’s poem, “Miss Me – But Let Me Go,” be included in her obituary: “When I come to the end of the road and the sun has set on me, I want no rites in a gloom-filled room. Why cry for a soul set free? Miss me a little – but not too long, and not with your head bowed low. Remember the love we once shared; miss me – but let me go. “For this is a journey we all must take, and each must go alone. It’s all a part of the master plan, a step on the road to home. When you are lonely and sick at heart, go to the friends we know, and bury your sorrows in doing good deeds, miss me – but let me go.”

Tributes

Vivian Louden

March 20, 1932 - September 7, 2015