Vicki K Lawrence

March 9, 193*~ May 30, 2023

Named for her father, Victoria Karen Konnerth was born to Victor and Caroline Konnerth, March 9, 1937. Both her parents were themselves children of German speaking immigrants who settled in the Cleveland Ohio area. Vicki, not having siblings of her own, was very close to her mother, and has fond memories of time spent with her Aunties and cousins. Her mother’s side of the family had a strong Adventist heritage in contrast with her father’s family who were not very religious. In spite of this, she recalls her father as a loving provider and she had many happy memories of her formative years.

Although Grades 1-5 were spent in Cleveland public schools; 6-8 were at an Adventist Church grade school, followed by High school at Mt. Vernon SDA Academy, in Ohio. Her Freshman and Sophomore years she did well enough in typing to get a job in the registrar's office and worked there till she graduated high school in 1956. A natural aptitude towards business motivated her to pursue a white-collar career and in 1960 she graduated college with a Secretarial Science degree from Washington Missionary College, in Maryland, presently called Washington Adventist University. Her job during college as secretary for Leslie Harding in the Religion Department, built both her work skills and her relationship with Jesus. Vicki was never very active in sports but enjoyed reading, playing piano, and many friendships. Occasionally she would date but nothing ever serious.

After college, she accepted the challenge to teach Secretarial Sciences for grades 9 -12 at Blue Mountain Adventist Academy, in Pennsylvania. After 2 years, she answered a call to teach the same subject at Walla Walla College, in Washington.

The faculty housing had several rows of bungalows that faced a small center courtyard and across from Vicki lived Ruthy Lawrence, finding they had much in common, they became fast friends. Occasionally Bill would come to see his sister, Ruthy, who worked for the Adventist Conference office. Several times as he visited, Bill noticed a pretty girl walking home from work and seeing that she lived straight across the little courtyard from Ruthy, he asked who she was. Ruthy decided to introduce them over supper and they soon became a couple.

In 1966, they were married and Lincoln, Nebraska became their home. Bill working as Manager for Bison books, which is the University of Nebraska printing press, and Vicki for Lincoln public schools teaching secretarial science to grades 9-12. They eventually bought a house together on 3 acres on Carson Rd, in Lincoln and it became home for them and their many Sheltie dogs.

It was tragic for the couple to learn of Bill’s cancer diagnosis in 1997 and the following year he passed away, after 32 years of marriage.

Around 2004, Vicki’s good friend, Sharon Breeden, found a nice house in Jansen, Nebraska and enticed Vicki to move closer to her. True to form, Vicki made many friends and became active in the Fairbury Adventist church, mainly as pianist, Sabbath school teacher and as a Community projects coordinator.

Although Vicki didn’t come across as being much of an outdoorsy kind of person, she loved gardening. She loved eating her garden-fresh tomatoes and became famous for her amazing garden produce that she generously shared with friends and neighbors.

You can rest assured, if there are going to be tomatoes in heaven, Vicki will be there. But, to see the face of the One who created the tomatoes in the first place, that was the highest aspiration of her whole life. Everyone who knew Vicki realized she had a burden for their salvation. Her greatest happiness in life was being a blessing to others. What a beautiful soul. She always intended to make a positive impression wherever she went and that impression will be missed.

A memorial service for Vicki will be held Sunday, June 11, 2023 at 2:00 PM at Fairbury Seventh-Day Adventist Church, 1028 J Street, Fairbury, Nebraska 68352. An interment will occur Monday, June 12, 2023 at 2:00 PM at Lincoln Memorial Park, 6700 South 14th Street, Lincoln, Nebraska. Family and friends will meet at Gate 2 prior to the service.