Vivian Ann (Westerhoff) Schluckebier was born Oct. 5, 1920, in Garland, to Harry and Constance (Thom) Westerhoff and passed away Sept. 23, 2023, in Seward, at the age of 102 years, 11 months and 18 days.
Vivian grew up on a farm near Garland, where she attended and graduated from Garland High School with the Class of 1938. She attended UNL, where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in 1942 and received her master’s degree in 1975 from Concordia. She was married to Virgil Gausman from Jan 30, 1942, to Dec 16, 1944 (killed in World War II). She married Carl Schluckebier on Aug. 3, 1947, at her parent’s home near Garland.
Vivian was employed by the school district of Seward for 30 years as a teacher and later elementary principal, retiring in 1985. Vivian was a past member and president of the School District of Seward Education Association and a member of the Seward VFW Auxiliary. Vivian was a Gold Star Wife and Descendant of the American Revolution. She was a member of the United Church of Christ in Goehner and attended the United Church of Christ in Seward.
Vivian was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Carl Schluckebier and Capt. Virgil Gausman; daughter, Connie (Schluckebier) Wustrack; son-in-law, Howard Rasmussen; sisters, Nona Miller, Beulah (Art) Matthes; brother, Lloyd Westerhoff; grand-son-in-law, Scott Dey; and daughter-in-law, Didi Schluckebier.
Survivors cherishing her memory include her children and spouses, Annette (Gausman) Rasmussen of Tallahassee, Florida, Peggy (Schluckebier) Fitzpatrick and husband, Don, of Papillion, William Schluckebier and wife, Carolyn, of Georgetown, Texas, Daniel Schluckebier and wife, Cynthia, of Aldie, Virginia, Fredrick Schluckebier and wife, Shelley, of Seward; 14 grandchildren, Jayne (Rasmussen) Johnson and husband, Paul, Karen (Rasmussen) Cramer, Brian Fitzpatrick and wife, Kathy, Kevin Fitpatrick and wife, Cori, Diana (Fitzpatrick) Haag and husband, Elliot, Nicki Wustrack (Dey) Schaefer and husband, Matt, Trevor Wustrack and wife, Shannon, Travis Wustrack and wife, Ashley, Elizabeth (Schluckebier) Brown and husband, Rupert, Adam Schluckebier and wife, Allsion, Laurel (Schluckebier) Kortum, Maryland, and husband, Robert, MD, Lt. Col. Carl Schluckebier and wif,e Rebecca, Erin (Schluckebier) Hays, and Kimberly (Schluckebier) Frey and husband, Jeff; 32 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends.
Family will receive friends Thursday, Oct. 5, from 5 – 7 p.m. At Zabka-Perdue Funeral Home in Seward. There will be a private family graveside service. Memorial contributions are suggested to Our Redeemer Lutheran School. Arrangements by Zabka-Perdue Funeral Home.
