Viva Caroline Witzel, 82, of the Thompsonville Community of rural Perry, KS, died April 2, 2021 at the Homestead Assisted Living Center in Topeka, KS.
She was born November 22, 1938 at Bethune, CO, the daughter of William Harrison “Willie” and Pearl Jane Geering Eslinger. She attended Bethune schools and was a 1956 graduate of Bethune High School. In January 1957, she worked as a telephone operator for Mountain Bell in Burlington, CO. In February of 1969 she transferred to Southwestern Bell Company in Colby, KS, and in August of 1977, she transferred to Topeka, KS. She retired October 30, 1987 after more than 30 years of service. Viva continued working after retirement, including the Co-Op in Lawrence, KS, until 2011. She was a member and volunteer of the Telephone Pioneers of America and a member of Communication Workers of America. She married Darrell J. Witzell on October 5, 1958 at Burlington, CO, they later divorced. To this union were born two children.
Survivors include one son, Dennis Witzel, Grantville, KS, one daughter, Debbie (Dennis) Huebner, Hays, KS, one brother, Wesley Eslinger, Burlington, CO, three sisters, Ruby Hundertmark, Garden City, KS, Annabell Weehunt, Idaho, Goldie Weber, Garden City, KS, two grandchildren, Taylor D. Huebner, Tanner D. (Amber) Huebner, two-step-grandchildren, Rick (Jenifer) Huebner, Shelly (Jeff) Warren, two great-grandchildren, Adrian Huebner, Caroline Huebner, and four step-great-grandchildren, Adrianna Huebner, and John Warren, Caylex Vest and Kinley Vest. Ms. Witzel was preceded in death by a step-great-grandson, Stacey Warren, a brother, Virgil Eslinger, two half brothers, Wallace Eslinger and Melvin Eslinger, two half sisters, Velma Sweet and Opal Schaal.
Graveside Service will be 1:00 PM, Thursday, April 8, 2021 at Oak Ridge Cemetery, Perry, KS. Visitation and Viewing will be 6:00 to 8:00 PM Wednesday, April 7, 2021 at Barnett Family Funeral Home, Oskaloosa, KS.
Memorials suggested to Jefferson County Humane Society in care of the Funeral Home, P.O. Box 602, Oskaloosa, KS, 66066. www.barnettfamilyfh.com