Obit: Gress, Viva R. (1913 - 2015)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Gress, Anderson, Raether, Pierce, Berg, Gingras, Marg

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 6/17/2015

Gress, Viva R. (22 March 1913 - 14 June 2015)

Viva Gress, 102, of Neillsville died Sunday, June 14, 2015, at the Neillsville Rehabilitation Center.

Viva R. Raether, daughter of Scott and Ellen (Anderson) Raether, was born March 22, 1913, in the Town of Levis near Dells Dam. She attended Dells Dam Grade School and spent three years at Neillsville High School. Her family moved to Eau Claire, where she graduated from Eau Claire high School.

Sept. 30, 1930, in Eau Claire, she was married to Arthur M. Gress of Neillsville. They lived in the Neillsville area most of their lives. Viva enjoyed doing knitting, crocheting, sewing and needlework. They enjoyed participating in flea markets and traveling their later years. Viva was a member of the United Methodist Church in Neillsville.

She is survived by one son, Lowell, of Neillsville; four grandchildren: Gregory (Diane) Gress, Pamela (Jan) Pierce, Tyler Gress and Scott (Sharon) Gress; five great-grandchildren: Alissa and Rachel Gress, Justin, Ian and Aaron Pierce; five great-great-grandchildren: Mitchell and Maddie Pierce, Shaylen and Dempsey Pierce, and Edwin Berg; and one sister, Eula Gingras of Eau Claire.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Art, July 30, 2000; a son, Robert Gress; a grandson, Donald Gress; two sisters: Verna and Velda; and four brothers, Clarence, Donald, Neil and infant brother Forest.

A memorial service for Viva will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 18, 2015, at the Gesche Funeral Home in Neillsville with visitation from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Pastor Terry Marg will officiate.

Online condolences may be made at www.geschefh.com.  The Gesche Funeral Home is assisting Viva’s family with funeral arrangements.