Vivian Wilhelm

SERVICE

Private service.

Vivian L. Wilhelm, of the Chippewa Manor Nursing Home, formerly of 415 E. Wisconsin St., died on her 92nd birthday, Tuesday, November 26, 2013 at the Chippewa Manor.

She was born November 26, 1921 in Mayville Township, Dorchester, WI to Anna Irene (Hinke) and Leonard Norman Bush. She grew up on a farm near Dorchester. She graduated from Abbotsford High School in 1939 and from River Falls Teachers College U.W River Falls in 1941 with a license to teach in Wisconsin rural schools. She taught at Monument School, River Falls and in 1942, during WW II she taught in a state graded school near Everett, Washington for one year. In 1943, she taught third grade in Compton, CA.

Vivian was a member of Pleasant Hill 4-H Club in Clark County for ten years. Later, when moving to Chippewa Falls, she organized the Chipps-R-Up 4-H Club, one of the first city clubs and led it for five years.

Vivian married Harry J. Wilhelm on September 14, 1943 in River Falls at the home of Harrys parents. After WW II in 1945, they moved to Manitowoc, WI. In 1950, they moved to Escanaba, Michigan, where she did substitute teaching. They moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana in 1956 and then to Chippewa Falls in 1958.

She received a B.S. degree in Upper Elementary Education from U.W. Eau Claire in 1966. She taught at Stillson School in Chippewa Falls. She then received her M.S. in Guidance and Counseling from U.W. Stout in 1969. She was a Guidance Counselor at Chippewa Falls Senior High School until her retirement in 1982.

Vivian was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Chippewa Falls, Retired Educators Assoc., Chippewa Valley Retired Educators Assoc., Chippewa Falls Excellence in Education, Delta Kappa Gamma and a mentor for ten years in the Chippewa Area Mentor Program.

Survivors include her three children, Sheila Wilhelm of Eau Claire, Brian (Nancy) Wilhelm of Neenah, WI, Sheryl (Jon) Pendleton of Appleton, WI; four grandchildren, Scott (Shelly) Rathbun, Amanda (Scott) Fletcher, Lindsey (Jeremy) Leick and Erin Wilhelm; four great-grandchildren, Jade and Cort Rathbun, Dominic Fletcher and Elizabeth Leick; four sisters, Betty (Richard) Curry, Elsie (Andrew) Knopps, Mary Ann Roark, Kathleen (David) Heyerdahl; three brothers, Robert (Susan) Bush, William Bush, Stanley Bush; sister-in-law, Katie Bush; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Harry on August 7, 1996; a grandson, Grayden J. Rathbun; a brother, Leonard Bush Jr. and a sister, Irene Bush.

Memorials in Vivians name may be directed to Trinity United Methodist Church or Chippewa Area Mentor Program.

Private services will be held.