Vivian A. Pitz, age 87 passed away on Sunday, December 7, 2008, at Park View Health Center. Vivian was born on April 28, 1921 to Herrick and Mayme Hutchins. She married Herbert Pitz on July 5, 1945. They were married for 35 years until his death on June 28, 1980.

Vivian was the wind beneath the wings of many people she encountered in her life. She was known for her loving, caring, and acceptance of all people. She was the light of her blind husband's eyes, and assisted him throughout his many political and career activities, giving him opportunities with all he desired and obtained. She showed her daughters the meaning of love: that caring about others is more important that obtaining for self. She exemplified what is truly important in this life: that material things are not important, but that people are to be valued, respected, and cared for.

Vivian worked as a beautician from 1940-1952. She assisted her husband with operating Herbert Pitz Vending Company from 1945-1967. She then worked as a nursing assistant at Parkview Health Center from 1967-1984. She was kind and compassionate to those she cared for at Park View. She advocated for the best care and respect for all residents, and shared many family activities with them.

Vivian was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church and a former member of the Parish Council of Catholic Women. While employed at Park View, Vivian was a member of the State/County/City Employees Union, Local 1280, and served as trustee and union steward. Vivian was a member of the Midwest Association for the Blind, Badger Association for the Blind, and the American Association of Retired Persons. Vivian was a member of Rainbow Friends at Park View Health Center: volunteering for residents. She also was a volunteer driver for Human Services of Winnebago County and delivered meals for the Winnebago County Nutrition Program for many years.

Vivian is survived by: daughters, Marie (James) Sommer and Rosalind (Mark) Weisensel; grandchildren: Eric (Cindi Zernzach) Mathe, Brenda (Matt) Schertz, Katie Mathe, Brandon Weisensel, and Nick Weisensel; and great-grandchildren, Kyleigh Mathe and Leah Schertz. She is further survived by: niece, Kathleen (William) Nardi; nephew Brian (Frannie) Briggs; and cousin, Farley Hutchins. In addition to her parents and husband, Herbert, Vivian was preceded in death by her sister, Norabel and cousins: Kathy Brownlea, Janet Golesh, Bruce Hutchins, and Chuck Hutchins.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, December 11, 2008 at Most Blessed Sacrament Parish-St. Mary site, 619 Merritt Avenue. Family and friends are invited to gather for a time of visiting from 4:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. on Wednesday, December 10, 2008 at Seefeld Family of Funeral Chapels, 1025 Oregon Street, and again at church on Thursday from 10:00 A.M. until the time of the service. Inurnment will be in Lake View Memorial Park. Please visit www.seefeldfuneral.com to send online condolences to the family. A memorial is being established for the Midwest Association of the Blind.

A special thank you to the wonderful, kind, and caring love always shown to our mother by the staff at Park View Health Center, especially those on Prairie side One, who tended to every need and cared for her comfort.

Mom, you will live in our hearts forever. Every day we will think of you and how you would have handled a situation, your kindness, thoughtfulness and philosophies of life that you shared with us and that made the world a better place. We love you, and will always follow your example to love others as well as you did.-Marie and Rose.

Seefeld Funeral and

Cremation Services

(920) 236-7750