Vivian J. Wajda, 97, of Grand Island formerly of Ord passed away on Monday, June 10, 2024, at Tiffany Square Care Center in Grand Island, Nebraska.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, June 14, 2024; at the Ord Memorial Chapel. Pastor Doug Olson will officiate. Burial will be in the Arcadia Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Friday at 10:00 a.m. until service time. Memorials are suggested to VFW Auxiliary. Ord Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.ordmemorialchapel.com
Vivian Josephine was born March 15, 1927 (according to her birth certificate) to Guy and Ana (Hodgson) Drake at Cheyenne, Wyoming. At the age of 18 months, Vivian and her sister, Joyce (2 months old) lost their mother due to illness. The kids left Wyoming to live with their aunt and uncle, Asa and Dora Hodgson in Arcadia, Nebraska. Along the way, Joyce became sick and later passed away from complications of pneumonia.
Vivian grew up on the Arcadia farm with her “brothers”, LeRoy and Dewey Hodgson. Vivian loved riding horses; and rode her horse 7 miles to high school.
On May 18, 1945, Vivian was united in marriage to Louis L. Wajda at Ord, Nebraska The couple first lived on Louie’s family farm and then lived in Chicago for three years. The couple returned to Nebraska and farmed northwest of Ord. They lived on the farm for fourteen years where they raised their three children, Larry, Connie and Rowena. In 1958, Vivian purchased the Ord Rest Home that she operated for thirty years.
Following retirement the couple enjoyed traveling. It was during one of their trips to Wyoming that Vivian discovered her birth certificate stated her date of birth as March 15th; however she continued to celebrate on May 15th.
In 2010, the couple sold the homestead west of Ord and moved to Elba to be closer to family. Louie passed away on January 31, 2014. The couple spent 68 wonderful years of marriage together.
Vivian liked music, singing and dancing. She hosted card parties and family gatherings at their home outside of Ord. She enjoyed spending time with her family and playing Hi & Lo Pinochle. She was a member of the VFW Auxiliary; volunteered at blood drives and was involved in the Red Hats.
Survivors include two daughters, Connie John of Grand Island and Rowena Wajda of Elba; six grandchildren, Dawn (Jim) Phillips, Leah (Quentin) Kolar, Kare (Cory) Wolinski, Jenise Graves, Erin (Chad) Ackerson and Adam (Jolene) John; and numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; aunt and uncle, Asa and Dora Hodgson; her son, Larry Wajda; two brothers, LeRoy and Dewey Hodgson; and sons-in-law, Lonnie John and Gerald Gydesen.
The family expresses their gratitude to the Staff at Lebensraum Assisted Living Center for the loving care over the past nine years.
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