Vivien V. Hostetler was born Nov. 30, 1925, in Milford to Homer and Mary (Roth) Schweitzer, the oldest of three children, and passed away Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2020, at her home in Milford at the age of 94.
As a young girl, she attended country school Dist. 48 through the eighth grade. Vivien accepted Christ as her personal Savior and was baptized at East Fairview Mennonite Church. She was united in marriage to F. Dale Hostetler on Feb. 8, 1944, in Broken Bow and to this union, four children, Lynn, Bruce, Mark and Coleen were born. They lived in Broken Bow and eventually moved to Milford and farmed. Vivien was a loving wife, mother and grandmother, and enjoyed gardening, canning and quilting. She was an avid reader, enjoyed playing board games and hosting birthday parties and holidays. Vivien loved God and her church and served faithfully to the end. She was long-time member of the West Fairview Mennonite Church.
Survivors include her children and spouses, Lynn and Patricia Hostetler, Columbia, Missouri, Mark Hostetler, Milford, and Coleen and Dean Cross, Milford; seven grandchildren, Pia Capell, Columbia, Lezlie and Nat Patton, Milford, Cydney and Kevin Eshleman, Los Gatos, California, Luke and Crystal Hostetler, Lincoln, Zachary and Carrie Cross, Milford, Jordan and Heather Cross, Milford, and Joshua and Francis Cross, also of Milford; 18 great-grandchildren; daughter-in-law, Cheryl Hostetler and husband Jerre Bontrager, Milford; a sister and brother-in-law, Margie and Marlin Burkey, Seward; brothers-in-law and sister-in-law, Larry and Alice Hostetler, Nampa, Idaho, and Wilbur Troyer, also of Nampa; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Leora Gingerich, Nampa, and Ellen and Stan Mishler, McMinnville, Oregon; nieces, nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.
Vivien was preceded in death by her parents; husband, F. Dale in 2009; son, Bruce in 2010; sister and brother-in-law, Doris and Blaine Brt, and sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Lucille and Leland Shetler, Mary and Royden Schweitzer, Nadene Troyer, LaVoy Hostetler and Clinton Gingerich.
A funeral service was Nov. 28 at the church. Memorial contributions are suggested to the church or to its missions.
