Haines, Baker County, Oregon
Vivian Pauline Axness, 81, of Haines, died March 3, 2006, at her home.
Her funeral will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at the Haines Methodist Church. Sally Wiens will officiate. Interment be at the Haines Cemetery. Visitations will be from noon to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St.
Vivian was born to Francis Benedict and Lena Johnson Benedict on May 26, 1924, at Taylor, Wis. She grew up on her parents’ farm in rural Taylor as the fourth of seven children. Her siblings were Levine, Basil, Freeman, Vivian, Marion, Ellsworth, and Vilas. She attended Whispering Pines Grade School and graduated with honors from Taylor High School in 1942.
She married Aymaar Axness on June 22, 1942. While Aymaar served in the military during World War II, she remained on the farm helping her parents. When Aymaar returned, they settled at Arcadia, Wis., until moving to Oregon to be nearer family.
Vivian was involved in retail stores and marketing most of her life, ending her career as co-owner of the Top Shop in La Grande. Her store was known throughout Eastern Oregon for its beautiful merchandise and superior service.
After retirement and the death of her husband, Vivian moved to the Haines ranch with her son and daughter-in-law. She enjoyed watching the changing of the seasons, the harvest, and particularly spring with its crop of newborn calves.
Vivian was active in the Haines Mutual Improvement Club, PEO, CCI Investors, Crossroads Art Center and the Haines Methodist Church. She treasured her family and friends, spending countless hours doing needlepoint for all.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Francis and Lena Benedict; her brothers, Levine, Basil, Ellsworth, and Vilas; her sister, Marion; and her husband, Aymaar Axness.
Survivors include her brother, Freeman of Blair, Wis; son, Dennis, and daughter-in-law, Terri, of Haines; grandsons and their families, Dan (Cheryl, David and Lauren) of Boise, Scott (Janey and Amanda) of Tualatin, David (Darci, Brett and Alyssa) of West Linn, Mark (Sarah and Paige) of Portland, Luke (Athena and Xanthia) of Lake Havasu City, Ariz., and Aaron (Nicole) of Lake Havasu City, Ariz.; and numerous sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Crossroads Endowment Fund where Vivian enjoyed volunteering to support the arts in Baker County. This may be done through Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St., Baker City, OR 97814.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, March 10, 2006
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor