Vivian Mae Miner

Vivian Mae Miner (Berg), formerly a long-time resident of Clarendon Hills, died peacefully on Tuesday evening, June 20, 2023 at her residence at Oak Trace Retirement Community in Downers Grove, IL. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 12th (which would have been her 96th birthday) at Hinsdale United Methodist Church, Hinsdale, IL. Rev. Young-Mee Park will be officiating. The family will receive friends from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the church preceding the service. A luncheon will immediately follow. A burial in Salem Cemetery in Lomira, WI next to her brother, parents and other family will follow at a later date. Vivian is survived by her beloved husband, Robert Charles Miner; her children, Mark (Barbara) Miner of Hinsdale, IL; Gregg (Jaci Rohr) of Woodland Hills, CA; Kristin West (Don) of Clarendon Hills, IL; and her grandchildren, Charlie Miner (Mika); Sarah West and Lauren West (Tyler Nelson).

Vivian was born July 12, 1927 to Elsmer and Ardis (Rosenkranz) Berg in Brownsville, WI (a hometown that remained dear to her) on their family Holstein dairy farm, later named VIGO Farm after the prefixes taken from Vivian’s name and her younger brother, Gordon (deceased).

She attended a one-room school where her mother was a student and once taught. In her high school years, Vivian served as the church pianist and often sang solos with the church choir. She attended North Central College in Naperville, IL, graduating with an Education / Language Arts degree and Spanish minor. There she met her husband, Robert (Bob) on a blind date at the YMCA bowling alley in 1946. Marrying on June 24th, 1950, Vivian and Bob celebrated a 77 year-long love affair. North Central College has remained a special connection for them both. Vivian continued to be an active alum and advocate of NCC, serving on the Alumni board multiple terms.

Vivian’s passion for teaching youth began at Plainfield High School in Illinois where she taught English and Spanish. After raising her family, Vivian returned to teaching as a substitute and resource teacher for District 86 where she was known as the “coolest sub.” Her quiet, gentle, affirming nature commanded respect from students organically. She later taught at Gower School and was the English as a Second Language and Spanish teacher for District 181 until her retirement in 1994. She exhibited a profound dedication to her students through her sensitivity to their individualities and needs, nurturing and caring deeply for them and their families. She was often included in their family celebrations as the parents’ way of demonstrating their appreciation and respect for her. Following her first retirement, Vivian returned to subbing where she was in high demand at Clarendon Hills and Hinsdale Middle schools for another 18 years!

Her love for children and youth dovetailed with her Christian witness and involvement in church at both the LaGrange and Hinsdale United Methodist churches. A HUMC member since 1962, Vivian’s faith was reflected in countless activities and leadership roles including United Methodist Women of Faith and Stephen Ministry, teaching Sunday School, Confirmation, Vacation Bible School, Youth retreats and singing in the church choir for 50 years, often soloing with her beautiful soprano voice.

Throughout the years, Vivian spent time in her hometown of Brownsville, WI as well as Fond du Lac, Mayville, Milwaukee, Door County, LaFarge, Bridgman, MI and Cedar Lake, IN with family and friends. She enjoyed reading, knitting, antiquing, collecting, and growing houseplants. She always cared about good grammar and punctuation! She was a wonderful baker and cooked many wonderful – what we now call “farm-to-table” meals.

Friendships and connections were so important to Vivian. Her Mayville high school reunions were never missed, and she remained close with her housemates from NCC through the years via a ‘Round Robin’ letter writing process. Her church community, former neighbors, three-generational family camping group, P.E.O. sisters, dear school colleagues and new friends made at Oak Trace were her lifeline.

Vivian will be remembered as a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, teacher, and friend. She lived her life serving and caring for others humbly and often doing so behind the scenes - always writing notes, making phone calls, giving caring words of encouragement, and “walking the journey” with someone when needed. She touched so many lives and made special memories that all who knew her will carry with them.

In lieu of flowers, Vivian’s wishes were to have memorials go to Hinsdale United Methodist Church’s Copper Cross Fund or North Central College.