Viva Ayers

A celebration of life for Viva Ayers, 95, of Washington, will be held Thursday, April 14, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at the Peterseim Funeral Home in Kalona with Pastor Darryl Carr officiating.  Following the funeral, Viva will be laid to rest next to her parents in the Sharon Hill Cemetery in Kalona.  Visitation will be held two hours prior to the service, from 9 – 11 a.m.  A memorial fund has been established in Viva's name for the First Baptist Church of Washington.  Viva Ayers died Tuesday, April 12, 2016 at the United Presbyterian Home in Washington.

Viva Ayers and her twin sister Vera were born July 27, 1920 to Lake and Jessie (Lemley) Ayers in Wellman, Iowa.  Viva grew up in the Wellman and Kalona area.  She attended school for a few years and then remained at home to help her mother care for her 11 siblings and the family home.  Viva's favorite fun thing to do was roller skate.  She was a regular at the Wellman Roller Rink for many years and was a very talented skater.  She taught all of her nieces and nephews to roller skate over the years when they came to visit their grandparent's.  Viva also enjoyed a good game of rummy or carom and could easily match 10 pieces to your one if you were working a jigsaw puzzle with her.

Viva moved to Washington in the early 70's after her mother passed away.  After a long life of working hard to care for others, doing her daily chores and sharing her sweet spirit and smile with those around her, it was time for her to "retire" and receive the pampered care she so deserved, so she moved to the Brownlee Center at the United Presbyterian Home in Washington, where she resided the past few years.

Viva was loved dearly by her family and had many "best friends" in her life's journey.  Sara Lou Morrison was a dedicated and loyal friend to Viva for over 30 years.  They spent many hours playing rummy and doing puzzles together.  Sara Lou "truly" was her "Best Friend" and Viva loved her.

Viva's many nieces and nephews give thanks for all she brought to their lives and the many wonderful memories she left with each of them.

Viva was preceded in death by her parents and 11 siblings, brothers: Faye, Floyd, Maynard, Eldon, Dale, Clifford and Kenneth Ayers, sisters: Vera Peltz, Vivian Atkins, Hazel Raymond and Helen Graf.

She is survived by many nieces, nephews and friends.