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Vivian ‘Geema’ Esther (Nelson) Easterday

Vivian ‘Geema’ Esther (Nelson) Easterday

WEST SALEM — Vivian “Geema” Esther (Nelson) Easterday, 73, passed away Thursday, May 28, 2009, in her home in West Salem.

Vivian was born Jan. 13, 1936, at home in the township of Clinton, Wis., to Elmer and Alida (Holte) Nelson. On Oct. 8, 1955, she married her high school sweetheart, David D. Easterday of Westby.

Vivian is survived by her loving husband of 53 years, David; five children, Michael (Sue) Easterday of West Salem, Philip (Carla) Easterday of La Crosse, Joan (Curt) Alden of Portage, Wis., Raymond (Mary) Easterday of La Crosse, and Paul (Roshelle) Easterday of Galesville; 12 grandchildren, Jenny (Scott) Leren, Janet (Neil) Blalock, Julie (Phillip) Vircks, Patrick Alden, Jessie Alden (Cou Her), Tony (Rachael) Easterday, Preston and Quenton Easterday, Philip and Erika Gleason, Nina Malzacher and Derek Remen; and six great-grandchildren. She is also survived by three brothers, Orville, Julian (Lottie Seiler) and Everett Nelson; one sister, Ardyce (Barry) Crouse; one sister-in-law, Marion Nelson; and many nieces and nephews.

Vivian was preceded in death by her parents, Elmer and Alida Nelson; two brothers, Verlyn (Vergie) and Clinton Nelson; and a sister-in-law, Selma Nelson.

Vivian was baptized and confirmed at Coon Prairie Lutheran Church in Westby. She graduated from Westby High School in 1953 and was employed by La Crosse County as a judicial clerk and retired in 1998.

David and Vivian raised their five children in Smith Valley. After the children were grown, they built their dream home in West Salem, where they have lived for 20 years.

Vivian was a sports enthusiast who acquired her love of sports by watching her children and grandchildren play school sports. She was an avid football fan who hosted the weekly Packer parties in her home complete with her Packers- themed logo wear, pillows, baskets and any other Packer paraphernalia she could display throughout the football season. Vivian was also a huge Brewers and Bucks fan, and she and David would spend many nights watching the games together.

Vivian’s greatest enjoyment came from her grandchildren, and most recently, the great-grandchildren. She loved spending time with the “little ones” and welcomed the opportunity to baby-sit whenever she was needed. Vivian was proud to be called “Geema” by her great-grandchildren. This was a nickname given to her by her granddaughter Jenny, because she thought it would be much easier for her boys to pronounce than “great-grandma.” Vivian loved being “Geema.”

Vivian’s hobbies include her love of cooking. Daily she would review recipe books and test out new recipes on her family, in particular on her husband, David. She made wonderful main courses and fabulous desserts. You could count on a pot of coffee and a dessert on her table when you stopped in. She enjoyed crocheting throws and has blessed her family over the years with her beautiful creations. Vivian also took pleasure in creating her own personalized greeting cards on the computer and searching the Internet for the latest information. Her annual spring ritual was watching the sky for the first geese of the season to fly over the lake and then recording the date on the calendar. Vivian also delighted in nature, from growing a vegetable garden, raising plants and flowers, feeding her beloved hummingbirds or camping and walleye fishing in Canada with her family.

Her husband, David, states, “She loved the seasons with fall colors her favorite. Winter snow and lawn mowing would bring a smile to her face. Planting of the farm crops and harvest was a joy for her to watch.”

Vivian will most be remembered for her love of family, her holiday feasts and gatherings, her selfless giving, her soft-spoken wisdom, her enthusiastic joy of life and that wonderful big smile. She is loved by all and will truly be missed.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Monday at Our Saviors Lutheran Church, 359 N. Leonard St., West Salem. The Rev. J. David Bersagel will officiate. Burial will be in Neshonoc Cemetery. Friends may call from 2 to 5 p.m. today at Jostad-Jandt Funeral Home, 121 N. Youlon St., West Salem, and also from 10 a.m. Monday until the time of services at the church. Memorials may be given to the nursery at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, West Salem.