Vivian (Powers) Miller

Des Moines

Vivian Gusta Powers, 88, the daughter of Joseph Walter Powers and Neoma Eleanor (Hood) Powers, was born on September 10, 1927 in Covington, Texas. In her final days, Vivian was a resident at Trinity Center at Luther Park in Des Moines, Iowa. Vivian left this earth to rejoice in heaven on February 4, 2016. Visitation will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. Tuesday at McLaren’s Chapel with a funeral service at 2 p.m. Burial will take place at Resthaven Cemetery in West Des Moines.

Vivian was fluent in American Sign Language and was an interpreter for her parents and later for her church and the community. She completed her education in Texas. On June 3, 1943 she married Frederick Benjamin Miller. As a couple they enjoyed traveling and dancing. Vivian was very artistic and her hobbies included painting and needlework. She worked for Hunter Packing Company in East St. Louis, Illinois in the payroll department where she made several lifelong friends. In 1967 she went to work in the payroll department at Iowa Packing Company/Wilson Foods where she retired in 1993. Vivian’s husband developed Parkinson’s disease and she cared for him until his death on July 6, 2002. Vivian loved her sister Faye and they spent time traveling to see each other whenever possible until Faye’s passing, April 9, 2009. Vivian loved Tasty Tacos, ice cream, pecan pie and cottage cheese. In the fall of 2003, Vivian and Dean Lettington were reacquainted and became very special companions. In late 2009 Vivian developed Parkinson’s disease followed by Lewy Body Dementia. She was loved and cared for by Dean’s children and grandchildren from this point forward. Vivian was also cared for by many wonderful nurses, aids and Unity Point Hospice workers. Everyone that cared for Vivian grew to love her because of her kind and loving heart. Because of this beautiful heart she will be deeply missed and remembered forever.

She is survived by her cousin, Rubye Lee Enquist; friends Jim, Louvina and Amanda Holtz, Jason and Mason Merkley and Dan Lettington. Vivian was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Fred; sister, Belva Faye Claybrook; and special companion, Dean Lettington.

Memorial contributions may be made to UnityPoint Hospice or Ruth Harbor.