Vivian Hill

Vivian L. Hill, 94, of Cedar Falls, died on Wednesday, August 21, 2024, at NewAldaya Lifescapes. Vivian was born June 30, 1930, to Henry and Bessie (Goranson) Blasjo. She grew up on a farm near Sturgeon Lake MN, lived in various places in Minnesota, and lived in Cedar Falls since 1967. Vivian married Donald Gray in Barnum MN in 1953. They raised a family together, lived in various places in Minnesota and eventually moved to Cedar Falls IA. They later divorced. Vivian married Dwight Hill in Cedar Falls IA in 2006. Vivian and Dwight remained together until Dwight's death in 2015. Vivian began her education in a one room school, graduated from the University of Minnesota Duluth, and began a career as an elementary school teacher in Canby MN and Cambridge MN. She continued to teach for several years, and later pursued interests in business, all while leading a busy life as a wife, mother, community member and avid gardener. Vivian is still remembered as the owner of The Fine Line gift store on Main Street in Cedar Falls from 1980 to 2000. The Fine Line helped keep Main Street a lively and interesting place and was the place to go for Beanie Babies! Vivian lived an adventurous life. She was the first of her circle of friends and family to go on RAGBRAI in 1974. Vivian travelled widely. She attended events such as the Rose Bowl parade, Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Winter Olympics in Calgary, and visited friends and family in US and abroad. She visited all 50 US states, and also Iceland, Sweden, and Italy. Vivian and her husband Dwight went ziplining together in Costa Rica when they were both in their 80s. Vivian published three books. To borrow a phrase from her third book, Vivian had "a profound respect for all of creation, even rutabagas." Vivian is survived by son Kelly Gray; daughters Joni (Johann) Gray and Karen (James Beal) Gray Beal; stepchildren: Kathy (Gene) Jackel, Lois (Stu) Main, Linda (Dan) Ristow, Judi Gerold, Doug (Linda) Hill, Mary Hill; brothers Merle Blasjo, Wesley Blasjo; sister Connie Doty; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Vivian was preceded in death by an infant daughter, former husband Donald Gray, husband Dwight Hill, parents Bessie and Henry Blasjo, and brother Richard Blasjo. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, August 30, 2024, at First United Methodist Church in Cedar Falls with visitation one hour prior. Interment at Fairview Cemetery in Cedar Falls. Memorials may be directed to the church or the Cedar Bend Humane Society.

Vivian Hill

June 30, 1930 - August 21, 2024