Vivian Gideon

Vivian Marie Gideon (nee Braun) Viv Gideon died Feb. 10, 2014. She was born Aug. 25, 1931 in Chicago to Edmund and Emma Braun and nicknamed "Poppy" by her father who adored her and noted that she was as pretty as a poppy. Viv graduated from Steinmetz High School in Chicago in 1949 and worked in Harris Trust Bank until she met Jerry Gideon on a blind date while he was stationed in Chicago with the Air Force. The two were married at St. Stephan's church in Des Plaines, Illinois on June 11, 1955. Viv and Jerry settled in Madelia in August of 1955, where Viv devoted herself to raising seven kids. She loved family gatherings, friends, learning, cooking, shopping, dancing, bridge, decorating, word puzzles, travel, winters spent in Arizona and her Polish heritage. She loved life and understood well that the journey was the destination. Her life was an acknowledgement of to whom much is given, much is expected, and she gave back by supporting the League of Women Voters, a Girl Scout and a Boy Scout troop, MHS bake sales, AFS, St. Mary's Rosary Society, the School Sisters of Notre Dame, and underdogs. She provided care for her father-in-law and mother towards the end of their journeys. Viv was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by husband Jerry, children: Jeff (Katie), Garth (Jean), Deidre (Pat), Cory (Mark), Meeghan (Mike), Alyssa (Bob), and Ryan (Dianne), AFS daughter Aida Holtmann Scheel, 23 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren, as well as her brothers Butch (Eleanor Hall) and Jack (Barb) Braun. Her selflessness, devotion to family, friends and those less fortunate, as well as her zest for life, will be missed by all who were blessed to know her best. Idz z Bogiem, Mama. First Visitation 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm Friday, February 21, 2014 St. Mary's Catholic Church, Madelia 19 Crosby Ave. NE Madelia, Minnesota, United States 56062 Second Visitation 9:00 am - 10:00 am Saturday, February 22, 2014 St. Mary's Catholic Church, Madelia 19 Crosby Ave. NE Madelia, Minnesota, United States 56062 Service Information 10:00 am Saturday, February 22, 2014 St. Mary's Catholic Church, Madelia 19 Crosby Ave. NE Madelia, Minnesota, United States 56062 Interment Information Calvary Cemetery, Madelia East, Co. Hwy 3 Madelia, Minnesota, United States 56062