Vivian Luwe, 80, died Thursday, December 22, 2005 at Kavanagh Hospice in West Des Moines. Visitation will be at West Des Moines United Methodist Church on Tuesday, December 27, 2005 from 4 to 6 p.m. with a Remembrance Service at 6 p.m. The funeral service will be on December 31, 2005 in North Dakota.

Vivian was born in Thompson, ND on April 25, 1925 to Ed and Myrtle Bahr. She married Elmer Rebsch in 1946. Together they farmed and later established Northwood Floral and Gifts where Vivian was a florist until 1981. She moved to West Des Moines in 1986 and married Leland Luwe in 1988. Vivian worked as a certified diamondtologist at Helzberg Jewelers both in North Dakota and Iowa. She and Leland were residents of Sun City West, Arizona from 1994 until 2002 when they returned to West Des Moines.

Vivian was a member of West Des Moines United Methodist Church. Music was an important part of her life. She was a model and inspiration to others as she faced serious illnesses with unwavering faith, courage and grace.

She is survived by her husband, Leland; daughter Berneda (Ken) Franson of West Des Moines; sons, Allan (Connie) Rebsch of Grand Forks, ND and Charles (Nadine) Rebsch of Fargo, ND; stepson, Randy (Pam) Luwe of Kenner, LA; stepdaughter, Ann (Bob) Buss of McHenry, IL; eleven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren; brother, Myron (Dorothy) Bahr of Miles City, MT; sisters, Arlene (Leon) Krueger of East Grand Forks, MN and Loretta (Dr. K. James) Stein of Evanston, IL. She is preceded in death by her parents; and first husband, Elmer Rebsch.

Memorials may be made to West Des Moines United Methodist Church.