back to home page  

back to KHS Teachers

back to Klemme School

Vivian Maxine Charlson

1923 - 2016

 

Vivian Charlson (Westerberg)
1923 - 2016

Vivian Maxine Charlson, the daughter of Rollie and Ruth (Tweeten) Westerberg, was born November 26, 1923 at her parents home in Hancock County, Iowa.
 

She passed away Sunday, January 17, 2016 at the Valley Vue Care Center in Armstrong, Iowa at the age of 92.

She received her education and graduated from the Forest City schools. She then attended Waldorf College and Upper Iowa University receiving her degree in child education.

On Amery’s birthday, October 15, 1947, she was united in marriage to Amery Charlson at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Forest City, Iowa. The couple made their home in Fertile and Vivian taught various elementary grades nine years in Fertile, Klemme and Leland public schools. In 1948, they moved to Forest City and in 1957 to Swea City, Iowa where they lived for 55 years. She helped Amery in the remodeling and building of all their homes they lived in. While in Swea City she assisted Amery in their ownership of the Charlson Hardware Store, provided many years of substitute and full-time teaching along with daycare and various other jobs for many special people there. They moved to the Forest Plaza Assisted Living in Forest City, Iowa in October 2012 where they have enjoyed reacquainting themselves with Forest City relatives, friends and meeting new ones. In her leisure time she loved crocheting, painting and other handicrafts including her annual family Christmas ornaments. As a couple, they enjoyed traveling, camping and fishing. One of their great pleasures was enjoying a cabin they built in 1966, on Tuttle Lake near Dolliver, Iowa. They also enjoyed wintering some in Texas, Florida and California. Amery died on August 27, 2015.

Vivian was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, where she was active and a leader in the women’s organizations, taught Sunday and Bible School. She was a Cub Scout and Girl Scout Leader many years for her children. She was also a member and leader in the Federated Women’s Club; VFW Auxiliary; Swea City Senior Center and many school and community organizations.

Left to cherish Vivian's memory are her children, Andy Charlson and his wife, Cindy of New Bremen, OH; Nancy Lenhart and her husband Vaughn of Eden Prairie, MN; Mark Charlson and his wife, Lucretia of Plainfield, IL; grandchildren, Melissa Torres; Erica Deren; Neal Charlson; Drew Charlson; Molly Lenhart; William Lenhart; great grandchildren, Joshua Torres; Alexis Torres; Julian Deren; Emilee Deren. siblings; Marjorie Olson and her husband, Don of Sun City, Arizona; Muriel Lowenberg and her husband, Richard of Anaheim, California; Rodney Westerberg and his wife, Rogene of Forest City; sisters-in-law, Mavis Berhow and her husband Marvin of Dakota City, IA, and Garnett Westerberg of Amery, Wisconsin.

Vivian has been preceded in death by her parents; husband; two brothers, Arden and Donald.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Immanuel Lutheran Church or donor’s choice.

source: Henry-Olson Funeral Home and Crematory, 401 N. 7th Street P.O. Box 367, Estherville, Iowa 51334; 712-362-2646

 

************************************************************