Vivian K. Guddendorf

Vivian K. Guddendorf, 74, Rockford, died Tuesday, September 25, 2012 in Kindred Hospital, Sycamore. Born December 7, 1937 in Aurora, daughter of Frank M. and Mildred M. Zollers Guddendorf. She graduated from St. Therese Elementary School and Madonna High School in Aurora and attended St. Dominic College in St. Charles as well as taking classes from Loyola in Chicago and New Orleans. Her education was interrupted by the illnesses of her parents as she cared for them. She was an employee of the National Gas Company for 11 years and worked for the Diocese of Rockford, mainly in the Catholic Education Office, for over 27 years, when she had to retire due to health issues. She was a religion teacher for CCD classes for grade school and high school, choir director of the St. James Church in Lee and for over 22 years was a tour guide for the Rockford Diocese Pilgrimage to the National Shrine in Washington DC. She was a former member of the Legion of Mary for many years, serving as president of the East Curia and also as treasurer of the Rockford Comitium. She was a consecrated member of the secular institute of the Caritas Christi where she sponsored other members in Burma, South Africa and the United States. Vivian can be described as a very "vivifying person" , always considerate of others, especially of the elderly. She was never satisfied until work was done in the best possible way. She had a contagious smile and deep sense of humor, which carried her through life, always with the hope that God, in his goodness, would reward her. She was a very perceptive person with the ability of characterizing anyone that she encountered . She was loved my many and she loved her God and served Our Blessed Mother faithfully.Survivors include her sisters, Mary F. Lenert and Gretchen A. Krantz; brother, Daniel D. Guddendorf, all of Aurora; nieces, Linda Parish, Emilie Cherry and Helen Mosher; nephews, Art Lenert and Danny and Jim Guddendorf; several grand nieces and nephews and greatgrand nieces and nephews; special friends, Phyllis Sandine, Patty Fulco, Jan Houghtby and Denise Dutton. Predeceased by parents; nieces, Colleen Haish and Mary Agnes Lenert and dear friend, Father Clement Petit. Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. Friday, September 28, 2012 in Holy Family Catholic Church with Rev. William R. Wentink officiating. Visitation from 9 a.m. until 9:45 a.m. at the church. Burial in Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Aurora following a luncheon at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Cultural Crossroads, c/o Florence Miller, 3969 Vine St., Cincinnati, OH 45217. Express condolences and share memories at www.fitzgeraldfh.com.