Vivian Irene (Klotz) Keith

Inyokern, California - Vivian Irene Keith, 87, died January 6, 2013 at Kindred Hospital, West Covina, California. She was born on May 28, 1925 on a farm near Englewood, Kansas, the daughter of Miran Gunther and Ellen (Hosley) Klotz.

Vivian attended all twelve years of school in Englewood where she graduated with honors in 1943. After graduation she went to live in Colorado with her sister Blanche, and got a job in the sugar factory located in Sugar City. When that job ended, she went to work at the Army Air Base in La Junta, Colorado. The base closed down when the war ended, so Vivian returned to Englewood. Later she moved to Dodge City and shared an apartment with her sister Florence.

Vivian worked as a waitress at the Lariat Cafe until she met and married Melvin Keith. They lived in Lawrence, Kansas until he finished his education, and accepted a job with the Navy at China Lake, California in 1951. They resided in California until their deaths.

Survivors include one son, Kevin Braddon Keith, Inyokern, California; three daughters, Andrea Michele Keith and Melissa Kathleen Bayhan, both of California, and Valerie Mel Ann Keith, Tujunga, California, and two grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Melvin Keith on September 11, 1995, and her parents.

Graveside services will be held at Maple Grove Cemetery on Monday, January 28, 2013 at 11:00 A.M. with Rev. Dick Robbins presiding. There will be no visitation. Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.