Vivian R. Rudolph, age 104 of Clintonville passed away Saturday, July 16, 2022, at The Pines Post-Acute and Memory Care, Embarrass, WI.
Vivian Rose Meyers was born in Caroline, Wisconsin, to John (Jack) Ball Meyers and Lucy Meyers (nee Gilbert) on March 31, 1918. Vivian’s mother Lucy died on November 16, 1918, from the Spanish Flu. Her father married Irma Wetzel in Clintonville, WI on June 8, 1920. Vivian was the only child on both the Meyers side and on the Wetzel side. Vivian said that she was spoiled by both the Meyers and the Wetzel families. On December 12, 1927, Vivian welcomed little sister Wiladean Edith (Billie) to the world.
The Meyers family moved from Caroline to Clintonville when Vivian started 8th grade. Vivian said that she felt like a country bumpkin moving from the tiny country school to the big city. According to Vivian, a very kind girl who was two years ahead of her took her under her wing and showed her around the school. (Any school age children who read this can share Vivian’s love by befriending a new student and take them under your wing.)
The best part of Vivian’s life began on her first day of school in Clintonville, during study hall. She went to the auditorium for study hall and took a seat. She sat next to an upper-classman and made a smart remark (Vivian can’t remember what the remark was.) The upper-classman didn’t like a younger student making a smart remark to him, yet he looked for her the next day and wanted to sit by her. This student was Walter Rudolph, the love of Vivian’s life.
Vivian’s family can share several stories that they have heard about Vivian and Wally’s high school years. One story is that Vivian would talk to Wally in study hall. She would get in trouble for talking and had to stand up for the rest of study hall. Vivian said, “I couldn’t help myself. Wally was so handsome.” Their love for one another grew and grew. Vivian graduated from Clintonville Senior High School in 1936.
Vivian and Wally were married on June 12, 1937. They welcomed daughter Susan Kay into the world on February 2, 1938. They welcomed son Gary Wayne into the world on July 17, 1939. Vivian always welcomed everyone into her home. Many of Vivian’s children’s friends considered Vivian their honorary parent. Vivian worked at the Merc for more than 30 years. She started in the grocery department. When she retired, she was in charge of the men’s clothing department. Vivian selected and ordered all of the men’s clothing sold at the Merc. On March 28, 1980, Vivian retired from the Merc and Wally retired from the Four Wheel Drive. They walked home together, hand-in-hand.
Vivian enjoyed spending time with Wally at their cottage in Conover, WI. Vivian was an active member of Christus Lutheran Church. She was also an active member of the Clintonville Historical Society. Most of all, Vivian loved to spend time with her entire family. She found great joy listening to the bustle of the busy bunch. She also loved living at Aster Assisted Living. She always spoke of how kind everyone at Aster was and how good the care was. Vivian lived her final months at The Pines. The staff were all so loving and kind.
Vivian will be deeply missed by everyone who loved her. A good description of how Vivian lived can be found in Ephesians 4:2 “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”
Vivian is survived by her daughter Susan (John) Plahn of Mound, MN; daughter-in-law Sally Rudolph of Clintonville; grandchildren John (Kim) Plahn of East Bethel, MN, Sarah Plahn of Rice Lake, WI; Jeff Rudolph of Clintonville; Kathy (Vince) Mares of Clintonville; Becky Thomas of Shawano; Teri (Brian) Mares of Wautoma, WI; Lori (JJ) Owens of Medford, MA; 12 great grandchildren; 3 great-great grandchildren; nephew David Graff of Suring; and great niece Elisa (Nate) Fregien of Embarrass.
Vivian was preceded in death by her husband Wally Rudolph, her son Gary Rudolph, her sister Billie Graff, and her niece Mary Graff Herman.
Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, August 27th at 11:00 AM at Beil-Didier Funeral Home, Clintonville. Rev. Benjamin Hollingsead will officiate and inurnment will follow at Graceland Cemetery, Clintonville. Visitation will be on Saturday from 10:00 AM until time of service at the funeral home. Please go to www.beil-didier.com to sign the online guestbook or to leave a condolence to the family.
Memorials can be sent in Vivian’s memory to Christus Lutheran Church.
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