The Life of Vivian Pauline Oliver/Jurgens
Vivian Jurgens passed away peacefully with her family by her side on June 3rd, 2023. She was preceded in death by her husbands, William Oliver Sr, and Clyde Jurgens, and her daughter, Barbara Oliver. She is survived by her son, William Oliver Jr (Karen), her four grandchildren Jill Rogers (Gary), Kelli Oliver George (Manoj), Maureen Baraban (Brian), Will Oliver, and eight great-grandchildren (Aidan, Arun, Alaina, Anjali, Brendan, Natalie, Nolan, and Penelope).
Vivian was born in Olathe, KS, on March 22, 1923, to Floyd and Daisy Huggins. Her favorite memories always involved her siblings Buddy, Ted, Peggy, Floyd, Larry, Shirley, and so many cousins that lived nearby their house. Also, Vivian would definitely like you to know that she received a special award for never missing a day or school her entire time at Olathe Schools. After graduating from Olathe High School in 1941, she and William(Bill) Oliver married. During WWII, Vivian and Bill traveled wherever he was stationed, including Herrington, KS. Barbara was born in 1943, and Bill, Jr., arrived in 1946. After the war, Vivian and Bill settled in Kansas City, MO, where Bill was a fireman. In 1947, when Bill, Jr., and Barbara were toddlers, a streetcar hit the truck Bill was riding on the side of and he died from his injuries. Vivian returned to Olathe, KS, got a job at the light company, and made her way.
In 1956, Vivian married Clyde Jurgens. Vivian and Clyde were both dedicated to their jobs (retiring in the mid-1980s), but enjoyed Royals games with their church group, gathering with family, traveling to China, and Japan, and all over the United States. Vivian was an active member of the First Baptist Church, a member of the choir, and a Sunday school teacher. Vivian was so proud of her Olathe community and frequently volunteered for various events, supported her brother Bob Huggins’ campaigns, served as a precinct committee chairwoman, and ran once for office herself (lost in a coin toss!). She was a talented seamstress, crocheter, and embroiderer. And believe it or not, she took piano lessons into her 80s.
What did Vivian Huggins Oliver Jurgens NOT do? What she didn’t do was complain. When life took swings at Vivian, she kept her nose to the grindstone and kept working for a better life for her and her kids, then later on for her grandkids. She could be a stern, no nonsense women but loved big and with all her heart.
A visitation will be held on Friday, June 9, 2023, from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM, followed by a funeral service from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM at McGilley & Frye Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 105 E. Loula Street, Olathe, KS 66061. A committal service will take place Friday, June 9, 2023, from 1:30 PM to 2:00 PM at Olathe Memorial Cemetery, 738 N. Chestnut St., Olathe, KS 66061.