Vivian Conaway

Vivian Conaway passed away on July 31, 2016 in Eldergarden facility at Bethel Home in Viroqua after a long battle with Lewy Body Dementia. Viv was born on Valentines Day in 1940. She is the oldest child of Melvin and Margaret Proksch who were farmers near Chaseburg WI. Vivian attended a one room school house for all of her Elementary years. She graduated from Central High School in La Crosse. Vivs favorite time of the year is Fair time. Vivian was active in 4-H and met her future husband Charles (Chuck) Conaway while scooping ice cream in the fair stand at the Vernon County Fair. Until recently she continued this joy by acting as the Superintendent of the Open class food division of the Fair. After Viv graduated she worked as a nursing assistant at Gundersen Lutheran Hospital . She continued to diagnose and try to figure out family health problems for years. Viv married Chuck on October 6, 1961 at St Matthews Lutheran Church in Stoddard on a beautiful fall day. They started their life together living and working on the family farm near Bud. Here they raised their three children, Cathy, Roger and Carmen as they worked side by side. Viv lost her hearing from Meniere's Disease when she was 26. This however did not stop her from enjoying many of her favorite pastimes including polka dancing, playing cards weekly and bowling on two different leagues. She often carried a bowling average of 160+. Viv was a member of the local Homemakers chapter and the Eagles club. She and Chuck also enjoyed hunting, fishing and camping locally and in Wyoming with friends. Viv was a talented seamstress and made several of her daughters prom dresses and the baptismal gowns for most of her grandchildren. She was one of her childrens/grandchildrens biggest cheerleaders and would often be seen in the stands when they were playing or performing a variety of activities. Vivian was a natural born caretaker who took care of her mother, father-in-law and grandchildren through the years. She took all new situations in stride with a smile and a cup of coffee. She is survived by three children; Cathy Reed, Roger (Sue) Conaway, Carmen (Dean) DeBack 8 grandchildren, Caitlin & Courtney Reed, Carlie, Logan, Payton, & Madison DeBack, Blaine & Rachel Conaway, her Sister Florine Swanson, niece, nephews and many friends. Vivian was preceded in death by her husband Charles Conaway, parents Melvin & Margaret Proksch, Mother and Father-in-law Blaine & Mildred Conaway, brother-in-law Robert Swanson. Funeral Services for Vivian will be held on Friday August 5, 2016 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Viroqua at 11:00 A.M. Pastor Yvonne Marshall will officiate with burial immediately following the service at Viroqua Cemetery. Friends may call on the family during a visitation one hour prior to the service from 10:00 to 11:00 AM on Friday, In lieu of flowers or plants memorials may be directed to Bethel Home Eldergarden. On-line condolences may be left at www.vossfh.com The Vosseteig-Larson Funeral Home, 123 Decker Ave., Viroqua is serving the family.