Obituaries: Vivian Ellen (Howes) Rosendahl (Sept. 9, 1924 – March 23, 2011)

Vivian Ellen (Howes) Rosendahl, a longtime resident of Smith River, passed away peacefully on March 23, 2011, in Folsom, California. She was 86 years old and is survived by her children Kristina, Karin, Eric, daughter-in-law Evyann, son-in-laws Steve Mowles and David Keneller, and preceeded in death by her son Skip, her grandson Garrett, and twin brother Vernon. Her children and grandchildren Kyle, Jordyn, Emily, Jayme, Paul, Sam and Riley will continue her legacy of love, values and traditions, the three things she felt were the true meaning of life.

Vivian moved to Arizona in 1990 to live near her sons and then recently moved to the Sacramento area to continue her final years close to her daughters. To Vivian, family was everything and she loved them dearly. While in Smith River, Vivian was an active member of the community, including leadership and activities in Girl Scouts, AAUW, PTA, Job’s Daughters, and Smith River United Methodist Church. She was honored for her work with Del Norte County Girl Scouts with a lifetime achievement award. While teaching for Del Norte Unifed School District, she taught English at Redwood Elementary and also at Sunset High School. Smith River was always in her heart and she continued close friendships with many residents of the area to the day she passed. While in Arizona, Vivian was an active member of St. Mathews United Methodist Church and has likewise left many close friendships in that state from her work in the church and community service groups. Vivian loved to travel and experience the world and new cultures. After graduating from Pomona College, she lived in Europe teaching English on U.S. Army bases in Munich and Nuremberg. Living there, she was able to travel Europe extensively as well as the Middle East with friends. If there was a place to go, Vivian would drop everything and take off. She loved meeting new people, seeing new sights and learning new cultures. She was fairly proficient in French and was able to practice it while visiting the country and her brother who lived there. Both her children and grandchildren are living the legacy of her travels and love of life through their travels today. Vivian was generous and compassionate to all. In Arizona, she worked happily and endlessly for American Field Service (AFS) and was able to provide young students the opportunities to live and experience other countries and cultures as she had done. She was honored for her AFS service by the state of Arizona. In Smith River, Vivian hosted Klaus, a student from Austria. She was able to pass on her love of the world to many children through this program.

Born in Fullerton on September 4, 1924, Vivian lived her childhood in Taft, Calif. She later attended Pomona College, where she received her degree in political science and then later received her teaching credential from U.C. Berkeley. Vivian will be remembered for her love of family, community, life, and travel. She will be missed for her love, friendship, wit and conversation.

Memorial service is set for Sat. April 2, at 11 a.m. at Foothills United Methodist Church, 3301 Green Valley Rd, Rescue, Calif. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Winema Girl Scout Council.

— Submitted by Family