Vivian Mae White

Vivian was born Oct 23, 1929, in Kansas City, Missouri. One month later she was adopted by Bernard and Leolla Carlson of Bertrand, Nebraska, and baptized at Immanuel Lutheran Church. Her adoptive paternal grandparents were Swedish immigrants who had donated the land for the town of Bertrand. During the throes of the Great Depression, her family moved to Denver, Colorado in 1937 where they became members of Augustana Lutheran Church. She was confirmed in 1944 and sang in the church choir. After graduating from North High School in 1947, she worked at Colorado National Bank in downtown Denver. In 1950, Vivian married William H. White and they were married for 31 years. They had three girls and two boys. In 1956, they suffered the devastating loss of their son, William Allen White at age seven months. Following stints in Billings, Montana, and Salt Lake City, Utah, the family returned to Colorado in 1958 and settled in Arvada. As a homemaker, she devoted time to her children and volunteered as a Homeroom Mother and Bluebird Troop Leader. After her children finished their schooling, she worked at William H. White Co. as Accounts Manager until she and Bill divorced. The family joined King of Glory Lutheran Church in 1962 where Vivian became very active. She held various leadership positions including President of King of Glory's Women of the Lutheran Church in America. While she was President, Ann B. Davis, better known as "Alice", star of the TV show The Brady Bunch, was the guest speaker at a special meeting. What a turnout she had for that meeting! After running into the principal of Fitzmorris Elementary School who told her about two brothers who traded off weeks attending school because they had only one coat between them, Vivian organized what became a yearly coat drive. From Nebraska to Augustana to North High to King of Glory to her neighbors and extended family, Vivian established life-long friendships that meant the world to her. Vivian enjoyed spending time with her family and attending the various activities of her grandchildren. She is survived by her children Sandra Vinnedge, Susan Krumpotich, Sheryl Matheney and Kenneth White; grandchildren Stasia, Brittany, Kaitlin, Michael, and Briyanna; great-grandchildren Michael and Adalyn and two on the way as well as many cousins. Vivian loved her family, friends, church, and the Lord dearly. Memorials may be sent to King of Glory Lutheran Church, 10001 W. 58th Ave., Arvada, CO 80002.