Obituary of Vivian Anna Chudej

Vivian Anna Chudej, 90, passed away Sunday, July 3, 2022. She is preceded in death by her parents Charles and Annie Holly; son Michael Chudej; sister Anita Hagens; and brothers Lester and Elden Holly. Left to cherish Vivian’s memory are her loving husband, of 72 years, Vernon Chudej; daughter Susan Chudej; sister Charlene Chatham (Clifford); sister-in-law Gloria Holly; grandchildren Melissa Pace (Jeremy), Wayne Thibodeaux (Rebecca), Luke Chudej, Holly Chudej; great grandchildren Morgan Pace, Shelby Thibodeaux, Warren Thibodeaux, and numerous nieces and nephews whom Vivian loved as if they were her own children.

Vivian was born March 22, 1932, in Hallettsville, Texas. She grew up nearby in Vsetin, where her family farmed cotton and raised cattle and chickens. Vivian would tell stories how she would warm a stone in the stove fire and put it in bed with her at night to stay warm in the winter. Vivian attended school in Vsetin and Hallettsville.

She married the love of her life, Vernon Chudej on October 16, 1950. Vivian and Vernon loved to dance and went to nearby towns to dances almost every weekend. Shortly after they were married, Vivian and Vernon moved to Houston, and in 1975 they moved to Pearland, Texas until 2021 when the power company bought their property. They have been residing at Trinity Oaks Senior Apartments since then.

Vivian was employed by W.H. Curtin & Company on Telephone Road in Houston for 30 years, where she was their payroll supervisor. Vivian was a devoted wife to her husband and loving mother to her children, Susan, and Michael. She loved to sew and made much of the family’s clothing. Vivian became her husband’s caretaker after it became difficult for him to move about physically.

She enjoyed meeting people and never met a stranger. Vivian often enjoyed picking up the phone to call her family and friends. She was passionate in sending them cards for all occasions. She loved to play bingo and participated in all the games at her apartments. 

Vivian was strong in her faith and loved her Lord and Savior. Her oldest sister, Anita Hagens, joined Vivian in Heaven the same day as Vivian’s death. We imagine that Vivian, Anita, and their partner-in-crime cousin, Rose Marie Kloppenburg, are doing the polka down the streets of Heaven! Vivian will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the church of your choice.

Services for Vivian will be held on Tuesday, July 12, 2022, at Epiphany Lutheran Church, in Pearland, Texas. Visitation is scheduled from 9:00 – 10:00 am. The funeral service will be held at 10:00 am, with Pastor Jon Salminen officiating. Interment will follow at 2:00 pm, at the Vsetin Czech-Moravian Brethren Church Cemetery, in Hallettsville, Texas.