Racine – Vivian Dickel, 77, passed away at WFH All Saints Hospital on Saturday, May 28, 2011. She was born in Kalona, Iowa on September 29, 1933, daughter of the late Virgil and Helen (nee: Mauch) Hochstetler.  She was married in Kalona to Marvin E. Dickel on August 14, 1955.  After 1966 she lived the majority of her life in Racine.

After graduating valedictorian of her Kalona High School, Vivian was also very successful in college.  At the University of Iowa, she was named to many national honorary societies, including Mortar Board (Scholarship, Leadership and Service); Beta Gamma Sigma (Business Honor Society); Pi Omega Pi (Business Education); Phi Gamma Nu (Women's Commerce Majors); Alpha Lambda Delta (National Freshman Honor Society for Women); and the University Women's Association (President).  Vivian was named one of the Outstanding Iowa Senior Commerce Students and graduated from the University of Iowa with highest distinction.

Vivian enjoyed a successful career teaching business education in Iowa; St. Bonaventure in Sturtevant; and in the Racine Unified School District. She loved traveling with Marvin, including trips throughout Europe and to China. She enjoyed reading, playing bridge with her many friends, and attending sporting events. She was an enthusiastic supporter on the University of Iowa Hawkeyes. Vivian was a member of Covenant Presbyterian Church; P.E.O.; the American Association of University Women; and the University of Iowa Alumni Association.

She will be deeply missed by her husband, Marvin Dickel of Racine; their sons and daughters-in-law, David and Margaret Dickel of Plano, Texas, and Ronald and Marion Dickel of Los Gatos, California; grandchildren, Dr. Diane (Dr. Jonathan Walsh) Dickel, Lauren (Jason Tyra) Dickel, Stephen Stanwood, and Matthew Dickel; her brother, Virgil (Marlyn) Hochstetler; as well as other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, stepmother Agnes Hochstetler, and sisters Nadine Schaefer and Elaine Vondracek.

Funeral services will be held at Covenant Presbyterian Church, 40 Ohio Street, at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, June 1, 2011 with Rev. Melanie Hammond-Clark officiating. Visitation will be in Covenant Presbyterian Church on Tuesday evening from 4-7 p.m.; and in the church on Wednesday beginning at 10 a.m. Vivian will be laid to rest in her hometown of Kalona on Friday, June 3, 2011. Gifts in her memory to Covenant Presbyterian Church or to the University of Iowa Business College have been suggested.

The Dickel family sends their heartfelt thanks to the I.C.U. staff for the kindness and care Vivian received while at WFH All Saints.

Services in Kalona at the Peterseim Funeral Home will be Friday, June 3 at 11:00 AM . Visitation will be Friday, June 3 from 9:30 to 11:00 at the funeral home.