Vivian A. Schutte

Vivian Arlene Schutte, age 93, passed away peacefully on the morning of November 7, 2024, at Primrose Memory Care in Appleton. She was born on January 26, 1931 in Lincoln Park, MI, to the late Sigvart and Clara (Malen) Lien. As a young child her family moved to Minnesota and she attended high school in Morris, MN. Following that, she received her nursing training at Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis where she earned her Nursing Diploma in 1952. She married Frederick Schutte on September 6, 1952, and the couple moved to Wisconsin and began a family. In 1978, she earned a Bachelor of Science from Carroll College in Waukesha.

A dedicated nurse for her entire working career, Vivian served in her early career as Nursing Supervisor and Director of Staff Development at Waukesha Memorial Hospital. She later developed a passion for Hospice care as she focused her career on caring for geriatric and dying patients. Vivian was on the forefront of the evolving premise of allowing patients to “die with dignity”. To that end, she obtained her dream job of developing and establishing one of the first Hospice Organizations in the US where she served as Director of Vesper Hospice in San Leandro, CA. Upon moving back to Wisconsin in 1985, she became Director of Nursing at Oakridge Gardens Nursing Center. In “retirement”, she started and served as parish nurse at Zion Lutheran Church in Appleton. Throughout her varied experiences, her focus was always on providing the highest level of patient care and mentoring others to do so as well. 

She enjoyed sharing her gifts with others and spent time volunteering at the American Cancer Society, Leaven, Fox Valley Lutheran Homes, and Habitat for Humanity. She was also very active at Zion Lutheran Church, and influenced many lives there.

Vivian was an avid reader and especially enjoyed fiction novels. She loved to travel and managed to visit nearly every continent. She enjoyed the theater and was a regular attender at both Attic Theatre and the PAC. She enjoyed the North Woods and the family cabin at Big Lake, Land O’ Lakes, WI. Never one to lounge about-except when she was reading a good book-she enjoyed cooking, keeping busy around the house, and walking.

Family and close friends were a primary focus for Vivian. She loved sharing lunch with friends and holidays with family. Vivian loved spending time with her two daughters – taking trips, theater, or sharing a glass of wine or cup of tea. People were always high on her list of things to be celebrated. She also enjoyed her breakfast gang from the Y.

Vivian is survived by her daughters Barbara (Daniel) Le Duc and Jane Schutte. She is further survived by four grandchildren, Joshua (Kelli) Le Duc, Sarah Le Duc (Erik Powers), Matthew Le Duc (Lynsey Lanz), David (Nora) Harker; four great grandchildren: Arthur and Cecil Powers, and Wesley and Milo Harker. She is also survived by her sister Beverly (Charles) Landgraf as well as several nieces and nephews. 

Vivian was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Fred; her parents, her brother Orville (Lorraine) Lien.

A memorial service will take place on Saturday November 16, 2024, at 11:30am at Zion Lutheran Church, 912 N Oneida Street, Appleton. Friends and family may gather at the church from 9:30am until the service begins. Vivian will be interred at Riverside Cemetery, Appleton.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Zion Lutheran Church, Leaven Fox Cities, The Alzheimer's Foundation, or a charity of your choosing in Vivian's memory. 

The family wishes to thank the staff at Primrose Memory Care and Moments Hospice for their kind and compassionate care.