Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Gress, Raether, Meredith, Henchen, Meyer, Steiger, Short
----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 3/13/2013
Gress, Viva (100th Birthday – 22 March 2013)
Viva Gress will be observing her 100th birthday Friday, March 22. With assistance from family members and a dedicated part-time caregiver, Viva is still able to reside in her own home in Neillsville. Todd Schmidt/Clark County Press
By Todd Schmidt
Viva Gress, 99, of Neillsville is still going strong in her own home as she prepares to celebrate her 100th birthday Friday, March 22.
Viva sat in her cozy brown recliner last Wednesday and reminisced about her life. Janet Meredith, a part-time private caregiver who comes to assist her almost every day, helped arrange pictures and memorabilia collected by Viva and her late husband Art, who passed away at age 91.
Janet explained the established routine that allows continued independence for Viva. She comes in the morning to help Viva get up and get dressed, take her minimal medications and make sure she has a good breakfast.
Viva’s son Lowell stops by regularly to assist with maintenance such as blowing snow. He oversees her finances and takes turns looking in on his mother in the evenings and putting her to bed. Nina Henchen bathes Viva once per week. Dr. Tim Meyer makes home visits as needed.
Members of Interfaith Caregivers also stop by to chat with Viva. A nutritious lunch is provided by Meals on Wheels.
“I am fine being in my own house,” Viva said. “I love being around all my memories.”
Her hobbies include sewing, crocheting, knitting and needlework. For many years Viva made daily diary entries, something she has had to discontinue now.
She is still able to crochet dishcloths, read and handle her basic toileting needs.
Viva’s brother Donald is a retired teacher living in Minneapolis. Her sister Eula Jean resides in Eau Claire. Viva has four grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.
Approximately six years ago, her son, Robert died from complications suffered when a tree fell on him. Grandson Scott provided a few details about his grandmother’s colorful life.
“One of my favorite memories is the huge Thanksgiving dinners that Grandma used to prepare,” Scott said. “She was a real good cook.”
Viva attended the Dells Dam School through the eighth grade. She moved on to Neillsville High School for three years and finished her senior year at Eau Claire Memorial High School when her parents moved to Eau Claire.
Viva Raether then came back to Neillsville so could be by her boyfriend Art. Eventually they set up a junkyard and operated that business for many years along with their two sons.
“One day Art brought home a couple of old cars,” Viva said. “He just kept buying them. He loved old cars.”
They moved into town about 26 years ago. Lowell continues to live in the house adjacent to the junkyard.
Viva was very active in the Methodist Church, helping with various activities and sales.
They purchased a motor home and began to travel extensively. They sold Christmas trees for their son-in-law and hit hundreds of flea markets collecting antiques and other items.
Viva and Art purchased a cottage on Lake Arbutus. Many of the photos in scrapbooks display good times at the lake.
They also enjoyed a winter home in Florida. During one of the jaunts, Viva and Art came across the Scotch Lake Resort in Canada and ended up owning and operating it for a while.
Wherever there was a polka dance, the lively couple went. They were regulars at the Silver Dome and other hot spots in the area.
“Art was also a pretty good accordion and organ player, but he didn’t play in a band,” Viva recalled.”
They also visited Hawaii and New York. One scrapbook contains hundreds of photos of New York City, Ellis Island, Central park and the Statue of Liberty.
Their travels expanded overseas, with trips to Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Norway, Sweden, and Art’s parents were born in Germany.
Viva and Art were married for 69 years at the time of his passing. They had a big party celebrating their 50th anniversary.
Up until a few years ago, Viva went out for Friday fish fries with her friends. A few of them, including Dorothy Steiger and Francis Short, are planning a low-kay get-together on Viva’s 100th birthday.
“I owe my long life to my kids, my friends and to Janet,” Viva said. They have all taken good care of me. I wouldn’t be able to stay in my own home without Janet’s help. I don’t know what I would do without her.”
