Vivian A. Witham, 105, of Austin, Minn., died Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2011, at St, Marks Lutheran Home in Austin.

Vivian Anita Ausen was born Jan. 15, 1906, at Odin, Minn., the daughter of Gilbert and Margaret (Arneson) Ausen. She graduated from the Lake Mills, Iowa, High School and attended Normal School. She taught in country schools near Decorah, Iowa, and Lake Mills. Vivian married Howard Witham in October 1929 at the St. Olaf Lutheran parsonage in Austin. The Witham’s lived in Lake Mills, Blue Earth, Minn., and Fairmont, Minn.,. After her husband’s death, Vivian moved to Austin.

Vivian has been a longtime resident of the Twin Towers and The Cedars of Austin. She was a member of Our Saviors Lutheran Church and a former member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Austin. Vivian was an avid reader and enjoyed traveling; she was also an excellent cook and gardener and enjoyed sharing the efforts of her work and stories of her gardening. She also liked to sew and do embroidery.

Vivian was preceded in death by her husband, Howard; son, William; grandson, Jon Berg; granddaughter, Audrey Witham; great-grandson, Zachary Witham; two brothers and three sisters.

She is survived by her children, Norma Berg, Houston, Texas, Stan and Shirley Witham, Osage, Iowa, Audrey and Jack Hastings, Austin; daughter-in-law, Pat Witham, Ephrata, Wash.; 12 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; 24 great-great-grandchildren; sister, Ruth Jacobson, Albert Lea, Minn.; nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Austin with the Rev. Karen Behling officiating. Interment will be in the Salem Memorial Cemetery, Lake Mills, Iowa. Visitation will be held at the church on Saturday from noon until the time of the service. The Clasen-Jordan Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. The family prefers memorials to Our Saviors Lutheran Church.