Vivian was born to Walter and Nellie (Bohmont) Glebe. She was the middle of three siblings including older brother Eldean Glebe and younger sister Gloria (Glebe) Robidoux.
She married Russell L. Gorthey in 1948, celebrating their 62nd anniversary shortly before he passed away in 2010.
Family members include her three daughters; Gwen McManaman (Steve) Lincoln, NE, Jill Richardson (JR) Scottsdale, AZ, and Jan Klaus (John) Naples, FL. Grandchildren include; John McManaman, Travis McManaman, Lindsay Richardson Bouchard (Drew), Jeff Richardson, Carrie Richardson Kieffer (Andrew), Joel Klaus, and Johnny Klaus (Khalia). Great grandchildren include; Cameron McManaman, Lauren McManaman, Drake Bouchard, Calvin Bouchard, Brooks Kieffer, and Max Kieffer.
A fashion model in her earlier years, everyone who knew her knew that Vivian had a flair for fashion. She was always impeccably dressed and classically put together, yet she had a very unexpected adventurous streak. She and her partner in adventure, husband Russ, delighted in travel and together they visited more than 70 countries. They spent days in remote, rural Mongolia living in a ger (yurt) while drinking mare’s milk and eating fermented eggs. They rode camels in Egypt, climbed up on elephants to safari in Africa, and fished for piranha from a canoe on the Amazon River. They once crawled through a narrow, dirty passageway in an Egyptian pyramid when the lights suddenly went out halfway through, plunging them into total underground darkness. Vivian remained calm throughout. This adventuress didn’t want to miss out on experiencing a thing and was game to try anything at least once while exploring the world.
With a keen eye for aesthetics, Vivian’s home always looked like it came fresh off the pages of an exclusive design magazine. With a talented artist’s eye, she loved to decorate and particularly loved to make each holiday, birthday, or family celebration special with very tasteful festive touches everywhere. She took very special care to make each of her daughters, each of her sons-in-law, each of her grandchildren, and each of her great grandchildren feel so very special. Because, to her, they were. Each one. Very special.
Perennially smiling, Vivian was always so very positive and looked on the bright side of everything. Vivian’s cup was always full. Her grandchildren often remarked that they had never seen grandma get angry, and never, ever heard grandma say a negative thing about anyone.
Having taken dance lessons with friends weekly for more than 40 years, Vivian and Russ knew just about every dance known to man and could execute them nearly flawlessly. They never, ever missed an opportunity to dance, and as they are reunited once again, they are sure to be happily dancing a perfect heavenly waltz.
Memorial Service: 10:00am Saturday June 6, 2026, First Plymouth Chapel, 2000 D St. Lincoln, NE.
Memorials to First Plymouth Church.