Vivian Ward

Vivian Ward

Cedar Rapids

Vivian “Vin” Ward, 100, died April 30, 2023, at The Methwick Community in Cedar Rapids.

Vin is survived by her daughter, Carolyn (Larry) Christenson of Cupertino, Calif.; daughter, Jenifer Ward of Phoenix, Ariz.; and grandson, Alexander Christenson of Los Angeles, Calif.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, James Ward Jr.; and her brother, Don Johns.

She was born April 1, 1923, in LaCrosse, Wis., to Herbert and Lillian (Davies) Johns. She later moved to Madison, Wis. She attended the University of Wisconsin, where she was a member of Kappa Delta sorority. She was united in marriage to James Ward Jr. on Nov. 23, 1944. After their marriage, Vin and Jim lived in Madison and later Dubuque, Iowa, and they moved to Cedar Rapids in 1956.

Vin was a faithful member of First Presbyterian Church. She was active for many years as a group travel specialist in Cedar Rapids, and also served as a long-time volunteer at St. Luke’s Hospital and in local and regional politics. She was a member of the Cedar Rapids Professional Women’s Network and was named their Woman of the Year in 1989 for her leadership and honoring the PWN mission – Strengthening Professions, Developing Networks, Exchanging Knowledge.

She was an avid traveler, leading trips to Europe for many Cedar Rapids area choirs and university groups. She also loved playing bridge and golf, and was an expert seamstress, cook and baker.

Memorials in Vin’s name may be directed to The Methwick Community or to First Presbyterian Church of Cedar Rapids.