Vivian Eileen Shepard

December 3, 1938 - September 16, 2020

Vivian Eileen Shepard, 81, of Oskaloosa, was surrounded by her children when she died at her home in Oskaloosa on Wednesday, September 16, 2020. She was born December 3, 1938, in Centerville, Iowa, the daughter of Leon and Marjorie Johnson Hixenbaugh. She graduated from Centerville High School with the class of 1956. Early on she worked at Centerville National Bank in Centerville. On April 19, 1957, she was united in marriage to Wes Shepard in Centerville, Iowa. Following their marriage Vivian worked at Iowa Southern Utilities until the couple moved to California in 1959. In 1964, they returned to Centerville. In 1978, Vivian went back to work for Iowa Southern Utilities in the legal department. Vivian followed Verle Norris, an attorney with Iowa Southern Utilities into private practice, and worked as his legal secretary until retiring in 2003. Even after her official retirement she would help him at tax time. She and Wes moved to Oskaloosa in August of 2003. On January 24, 2011, Wes died. Vivian stayed in her home in Oskaloosa until the time of her passing. Vivian was a member of the First Christian Church in Oskaloosa. She enjoyed games and puzzles, especially Mexican Train, crossword, and jigsaw puzzles, and watching hallmark movies. She was a voracious reader, her favorite books were the Harry Potter series, and anything by her favorite authors: Nora Roberts, Sue Grafton, James Patterson, and Nicholas Sparks. She enjoyed collecting ornamental frogs, and her collection has grown to over 300. Her family was the center of her world. She took every opportunity to spend time with them. She supported her children and grandchildren in every activity. She enjoyed traveling with family, it didn’t matter if the trip was across town or across the globe, she just enjoyed going with the people she loved. Her family includes her three children (The three ‘K’s) and their spouses, Kimberly and David Gile of Oskaloosa, Kris and Ruth Shepard of Kohler, Wisconsin and Kirk and Keri Shepard of Oskaloosa; 8 grandchildren, Kyle, Luke (& Sara), Mikaela, Neela Shepard, Alex and Travis Gile and Korey and Kalianna Shepard; three sisters, Virginia (John) Buban of Knoxville, Beverly Watson of Des Moines, and Barbara Lewis of Des Moines; two brothers, Don (Mary Kay) Hixenbaugh of Knoxville, and Ron (Leea) Hixenbaugh of Des Moines; she is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law. In addition to her husband Wes, Vivian was preceded in death by her parents and a grandson, Kole Andrew Shepard. Funeral services will be held Monday, September 21, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel with Reverend Molly Goodrich officiating. Burial will be in the Forest Cemetery in Oskaloosa. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. According to the rules put in place by the Iowa Department of Public Health, proper social distancing and reasonable personal protective equipment is advised for attending a religious public event. The funeral service will be live streamed at the funeral home’s YouTube Channel for those wishing to support the family from a distance. Visitation will begin Sunday, September 20, after 11 a.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel and the family will be at the funeral chapel from 1-3 Sunday afternoon to greet friends and relatives. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.