Vivian Eske
Vivian Eske, 91, of Aberdeen, entered eternal life on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, following a brief illness.
Vivian was born on October 25, 1932, to Herbert and Ella (Brick) Ihde in Warner, S.D. Vivian, the youngest of four siblings, enjoyed small-town life before moving to Aberdeen her junior year of high school, and graduated from Aberdeen Central in 1950. Shortly after, she started working at Socony Vacuum.
Ever the free spirit, Vivian chose not to go to college and instead continued to work while starting a life with the cute boy she met at a baseball game, Elroy Eske. The two were joined in marriage on October 20, 1951, and she continued to work at Socony while Elroy worked at Malchow’s, delivering furniture.
They started their family in 1953 when they welcomed their first child, Cheryl, then moved to Mina to start the hardworking farm life in 1954. They welcomed their son, Barry, in 1956, and completed their family when Deanne was born in 1962. They worked cattle, sheep and hogs; grew small grain crops; and enjoyed their time in the country before moving to Aberdeen in 2006. After Elroy passed away in 2011, Vivian continued to live on her own until her death.
Vivian was a devoted mom who took well to farm life, helping where she could, growing an impressive vegetable garden, and cooking up delicious meals for her family. When her children were all in school, she returned to work at Control Data, where she worked for many years. After Control Data left town, she went to work at the Aberdeen Development Corporation.
She was very involved with her church, sitting on several committees and helping every year at the annual bazaar, baking kuchen, donating produce and embroidered dish towels, and leading the homemade card group. She was very involved in the 4-H community with her children, enjoyed volunteering at the voting polls, and working at the sale barn. Later in life, she won an award for Service to the Community for her involvement with the Red Hat Ladies.
Vivian had a deep love for animals, starting with the stray puppy she brought home as a young girl and affectionately named Poochie. Though she never got the pony she wanted, she loved horses and took any chance she could to ride them. She also loved her Great Pyrenees dogs, Babe and Duke; a Collie named Lady; the most intelligent dog ever, Bitzy; and later fell in love with her Dachshunds, Wrinkles and Schnoz. And there were too many farm cats even to mention.
Vivian loved sunflowers, apple pie (with cheese!), crossword puzzles, and Scrabble — but her greatest love was her family. Every grandchild and great-grandchild received a handmade quilt that she lovingly worked on for months. She made several lifelong friends, both during her time in Mina and while she lived in her condo in Aberdeen. Her family will forever be thankful to her friends for helping her stay independent for so long.
Grateful for having shared Vivian’s life are her children: Cheryl (Keith) Lillemoe of Boston, MA, Barry (Monica) Eske of Aberdeen, and Deanne (Danny) Geditz of Yankton, SD; grandchildren Chris (Lauren English) Lillemoe, Shannon (Adam) Housley, Becky (Paul) Griffin, Heather (Luke) Seng, Tyler (Tammy) Eske, Megan (Steve) Rosendahl, Jordan Geditz, and Chelsea (Henry) Hauger; 13 great-grandchildren; and sister Muriel Pigors.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Elroy Eske; her parents; her sister, Arlene Munger; and her brother, LeRoy Ihde.