Vivian Mae Stierwalt

Vivian was born on June 7, 1927 in Nebraska City, Nebraska to John and Reta Baker and grew up during the Great Depression with her family. She earned her certificate in Education and taught in a one room school-house. Vivian was an Honored Queen of Job's Daughters in Nebraska.

In 1948, Vivian moved to Ephrata, Washington as a young adult where she worked for the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and in her spare time enjoyed dancing and joined the bowling league. Vivian met Charles Stierwalt and the young couple started dating. They were married in June 1950, despite his two left feet.

Charles was a concrete construction superintendent and the young couple moved often to follow his work. During the first 20 years of their marriage, they moved almost every year up and down the California Bay Area, Central Valley and in Arizona. In 1953, Vivian and Charles welcomed baby Rodney Stierwalt into their family and the following year they had Richard Stierwalt.

In 1966, the family settled in Merced, California where Vivian worked for 17 years at the Merced Welfare and retired in 1989. During her time in Merced she raised her two children, she sang in the local choir Sweet Adelines for 19 years, she served as the Past President of the County Toastmasters, Past President of the Merced Women’s Club, and the Past President of the Merced AARP. Her favorite past times in Merced were singing and playing bridge with her friends. She was a competitive card player and taught her grandchildren to play Kings on the Corner and Poker with M&Ms at a young age. Vivian moved to Park Merced in 2018 where she enjoyed playing Bingo, making arts and crafts, and listening to the piano. She will be remembered for her spunky, spicy spirit and her fierce honesty.

Vivian is preceded in death by her parents, John and Reta Baker, her husband Charles Stierwalt, and son Rodney Stierwalt. She is also preceded by her siblings Marian Shutt, her twin sister Lilian Lowrey, Myrtle Keith, and Donald Baker. She is survived by her son Richard and his wife Karen of Benicia, 3 grandchildren and 2 grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on November 13, 2021 at 11 am at the chapel at Stratford Evans. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the American Diabetes Association.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.stratfordevansfunerals.com for the Stierwalt family.