Vivian Jean “Gram” Swihart, 86, of Anaconda, Montana, passed away February 16, 2021, of natural causes. Vivian was born December 2, 1934, in Butte, Montana to Eugene and Thelma Kelly. Vivian was raised in and attended school in Anaconda, Montana. She met Charles Swihart who relocated to Anaconda from Iowa after he returned from serving in World War II. Vivian and Charles met at church. For years, Charles told anyone who would listen that Vivian was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Charles and Vivian were married December 1, 1949. The couple had two children, Charlene and Jerry Swihart. Vivian was strong in her faith and she and Charles raised their family in a Christian home. Vivian’s main concern was that every family member knew Jesus as their personal lord and savior.
Vivian waitressed at several local restaurants, including The Reno and Bill’s Drive-In. Her longest and most fulfilling employment was working at The Cantine at the Montana State Hospital. She was able to retire early, as Charles convinced her that the couple would buy up her years of retirement so they could spend time together and travel. Charles and Vivian loved to travel. They always attended state fairs, but their favorite trips were vacations with their three grandsons. They loved Disneyland and Lagoon and were thrilled to be a part of any of the family’s vacations.
Vivian was creative, crafty and multi-talented. She was an excellent vocalist. Many remembered her years later singing solos in school and in church. Vivian was a talented seamstress and a great baker. Her three white-headed grandsons were often mistaken for triplets as they were dressed in the matching sweaters and hats she knitted for them. In her later years, Vivian meticulously hand-crafted Christmas stockings for all of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The stockings continue to hang in a place of honor in each family’s home at Christmastime. Charles and Vivian’s holidays were steeped in tradition. Vivian’s Christmas tree was precisely decorated, and the family was expected at the same time each year on Christmas Eve where they were greeted with Vivian’s traditional cookies, goodies and her famous shrimp dip.
Vivian and Charles were kind and generous. They always brought treats and food to others and faithfully donated to their church. The couple kept a large bowl of candy at their front porch to hand out to neighborhood children who would stop by and for their grandchildren to enjoy, and later, their great grandchildren.
By all accounts, Vivian was one of the lucky ones. She was truly Charles’ queen. Charles worked very hard to cater to everything Vivian wanted, whether it be traveling, going out to dinner or supporting her shopping and jewelry-collecting hobbies. One of Vivian’s favorite traditions was a night out at Lydia’s Supper Club where she ordered her meat very very well done. Charles’ and Vivian’s pride and joy were their three grandsons. The couple absolutely loved attending sporting events. They never missed one of their beloved grandson’s sporting events if they could help it.
Vivian, who was later known affectionately by her family as Gram, was a night owl that had a massive sweet tooth. She never turned down a trip to the Dairy Queen. Strawberry or huckleberry milkshakes, chocolates and huckleberry popcorn were a food group for her. Vivian could be found up late every night watching classic Westerns on TV. She will be remembered for her sense of humor, her faith, her creativity and her wit. One of Vivian’s favorite sayings once she had left her travel years behind was to remind her family when they spoke of travel or vacations, “You gotta do it while you can.”
Vivian is preceded in death by her husband Charles J. Swihart, her son Jerry Swihart and her brother Donnie Kelly. Vivian is survived by her daughter Charlene Galle (Terry), her three grandsons: Terry Galle (Stephanie), Dave Galle (Misty), and Jeff Galle (Angela), her eleven great grandchildren: Patrick Galle, Cory Galle, Grace Galle, Melanie Moore (Sam), Erin Galle, Michael Galle, Gabriel Galle, Larkin Galle, Brody Galle, Karson Galle and Jaxton Galle, and her two great-great grandchildren: Coraline Smith and Sami Moore.
Private family services were held.