After devoting her life to the Golden Rule, Vivian Marcella (Klosterman) Disch took her last breath Thursday morning and was welcomed into heaven. She was 94.

A spiritual woman with a profound love of Jesus, Vivian set a very high bar for anyone determined to live a life of giving. She exemplified the passage in 1 John 4:16 that "God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them." That passage was among Vivian's favorites.

She touched the lives of countless people and made special all the places most dear to her during her life's journey because of her incredibly warm heart, kind spirit and good-natured personality. Vivian's trademark hugs, ever-present smile and unique laugh will not be forgotten anytime soon by those who knew her.

She will be sorely missed by her family, the congregation at Primrose Lutheran Church; the staff and residents at New Glarus Home, every Euchre-loving card player in southwestern Wisconsin and many others.

Vivian was born in Iowa County to Maurice and Lena (Gordon) Klosterman on December 31, 1921. The oldest sister to three brothers, she was baptized, confirmed and married at Blanchardville Lutheran Church and graduated from New Glarus High School (Class of 1939).

Her 69-year marriage to Sylvan J. Disch began on January 30, 1941. Vivian worked with Sylvan on his farm in the town of Primrose. She then gave birth to four boys, two of whom died in infancy. Her patience was rewarded and prayers answered when she gave birth to her daughter, Marilyn.

Vivian liked to say that, of all the jobs she had in her life, she most enjoyed being a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

As Vivian and Sylvan raised their children, Vivian did all the bookwork for the farm as well as Sylvan's barn construction company. She also gardened and canned while continuing to help with regular barn chores.

At Primrose Lutheran Church, Vivian taught Sunday School, served as president and treasurer of two women's groups: WELCA and Martha Circle, and organized and edited four editions of the popular Primrose Church Cookbooks, which sold over 1,000 copies and continue to sell well. She also was treasurer for the Dodgeville Conference of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America.

Vivian was active in the Bowers School Mother's Club and a leader of the Primrose 4-H and Dane County Homemakers' clubs for over 25 years. She also served on the town of Primrose Election Board and was a former member of the Moose Lodge of Monroe and the Grange Lodge of Iowa County.

She loved quilting, sewing, knitting and crocheting and was an avid and award-winning Hardanger (whitework) embroidery enthusiast. She enjoyed giving many of her handicrafts to family members and her friends.

Vivian is survived by three brothers: Vern (Elaine), Ralph (Carol Brumfield) and Lyle (Audrey); one sister-in-law: Esther Disch; three children: Ronald (Sandra), Robert, and Marilyn (Mike) Duerst; seven grandchildren: Shelley Miller, Sherry Anderson, Doug (Dawn) Disch, James (April) Disch, Joe Disch, Tonya (Bart) Austin and Jeremy Duerst (Desyra Ott); and 11 great grandchildren: Madilyn Miller, Alex Anderson, Noah Disch, Abram Disch, Allison Disch, Thomas Disch, Brody Duerst, Jenna Duerst, Danny Austin, Andrew Austin and Henry Sylvan Austin; many treasured nieces, nephews, extended family, and dearly loved friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; two children: Wayne and Dennis; and one granddaughter: Brenda Ellen Disch.

Services will be held Tuesday, August 2, at 11 a.m. at PRIMROSE LUTHERAN CHURCH, 8770 Ridge Dr., Belleville, with Rev. Nicole Espe officiating. A luncheon will follow. Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, August 1, at the New Glarus Home Chapel, 600 Second Ave., New Glarus (access via the Elm Dr. Entrance).

The Zentner-Beal Funeral Home of New Glarus is assisting the family.

Vivian's final days were filled with hope and optimism. She knew she was going to a special place. Her friends from the New Glarus Home knew it, too. Hours after she died, some of her friends were visiting Culver's in New Glarus and noticed that a butterfly was fluttering and nudging the window outside of the spot in the restaurant where Vivian loved to sit.

The family wishes to offer a special thanks to the staffs from Monroe Clinic Hospice – especially Brooke Hoesly -- and St. Mary's Hospital, the staff and residents of New Glarus Home, and Pastor Nicole Espe. Bless all of you for your prayers, support and friendship during the days preceding, and following, Vivian's death.

"He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord." – 1 Corinthians 1: 8-9.