Vivian Bahler
Vivian Dorothy Bahler died peacefully on Oct. 12, 2021, in Thornton at the age of 81 after a valiant battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Vivian was born in Phillips County on Jan. 8, 1940, to William and Dorothy Dudden.
She grew up in the Amherst/Holyoke area with her four brothers, Elmer, Delmar, Darrell and Dale. She went to school in Amherst through the eighth grade and graduated from Holyoke High School. Vivian married her high school sweetheart, Robert Leroy Bahler, on June 8, 1958, in Holyoke. This union was blessed with three daughters, Patricia “Patty” and twins Charlene “Char” and Marlene “Mar.” Bob and Vivian celebrated 50 years of marriage before Bob died in 2008.
Vivian was a homemaker and co-managed the family farm with Bob until they sold it and moved into a new home in Holyoke in 2007. She enjoyed gardening, canning, baking, sewing and scrapbooking. She also enjoyed helping with harvest and driving the grain cart.
She was a beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She treasured spending time with family and especially cherished over 20 years of summer family vacations. She planned and prepared for these trips and would bake hundreds of vacation cookies each year. She was particularly proud of her seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren and attended many of their activities.
She also devoted her time and energy as a caregiver to many family members and a special neighbor throughout the years. She had a true servant’s heart.
Vivian was confirmed in the Lutheran faith and was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Amherst. She taught Sunday school and Bible school and used her talents to make many banners and quilts throughout the years. A special project to her was making pillowcase dresses that were sent to Africa. She was an active member of Women of St. Paul’s and served on the funeral committee for many years. She was very passionate about supporting the Orphan Grain Train and other mission projects.
She was also a member of the Eureka Club for many years and cherished the lifelong friendships with many of the members from the Pleasant Valley community. In later years Vivian enjoyed some traveling as she took several bus trips with friends Beverly, Peggy, Donna and Justine, and she cherished the memories made on those trips. Lunch dates with her lifelong friend Doris were also very special.
Vivian was preceded in death by her husband, Bob Bahler; parents, William and Dorothy Dudden; brother, Darrell Dudden; her mother- and father-in-law; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.
Vivian is survived by her three daughters and their spouses, Patty and Doug Kamery of Haxtun, Char and Ian Cortez of Thornton, and Mar and Paul Reynolds of Evans; three brothers and their spouses, Elmer and Elaine Dudden, Delmar and Rosie Dudden, and Dale and Wilma Dudden; seven grandchildren, Jennifer Businger and husband Nate, Miranda Schnabel and husband Kyle, Michael Deslauriers and wife Halie, Jeremy Deslauriers, Jordan Deslauriers and fiance David Hirsch, Hayden Cortez and wife Magan, and Vanessa Cortez and fiance Malcolm Johnson; and seven great-grandchildren, Rylee Businger, Seth and Asher Schnabel, and Connor, Colten, Colby and Layla Deslauriers.
Vivian’s faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was something she lived daily and passed on to her family. God was faithful to her until the end, and we are so thankful that she has been made whole and is walking the streets of heaven.
Memorials may be given to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church or the Alzheimer’s Association of Colorado.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, Oct. 23, at 10 a.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Amherst.
Baucke Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.