Dorothy Adelia (Peddicord) Vilven

Dorothy Adelia Vilven, 97, passed away Wednesday, April 3, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah.  Dorothy was born in Wamego, Kansas February 3, 1921 to Russell K. “Dick” Peddicord and Ida Luttig Peddicord.  She graduated with honors from Wamego High School in 1939.

On October 24, 1943 she married Wallace Vilven and spent the first years of their marriage in Elizabeth City, NC and Lakehurst, NJ. Once Wallace’s Navy duty ended, they returned to Wamego and eventually moved to Salt Lake City, UT after some time in Minnesota. They retired to Sun City, Arizona and enjoyed many summers exploring the country in their motorhome.

After Wallace’s death in January of 2010, Dorothy lived with her son Doug and his family in Holladay, Utah.  Into her nineties, Dorothy drove herself to social events and continued playing duplicate bridge with her partner, Ann Efnor.  She attained Life Master, Sapphire Level (3798 Master Points).  Her partner Ann says of her, “One of the most admired people to play tournament bridge in Salt Lake City was Dorothy Vilven.  She was always alert at the bridge table and opponents sat up and took notice when they played against her.  To say she will be missed is an understatement.” 

Dorothy and Wallace had always been members of the Wamego First United Methodist Church and also attended Excelsior Methodist Church in Minnesota, Christ United Methodist Church in Salt Lake City and Lakeview United Methodist Church in Sun City, AZ. 

Dorothy is survived by her two sons: Doug (Denise) Vilven, Salt Lake City, Utah and Jon (Larkin) Vilven, Sweet Springs, Missouri; her grandchildren: Kelly (Ryan) MacDicken, Lake Forest Park, Washington; Major Mike Vilven (Rachel), Scott AFB, O’Fallon, Illinois; DeDe Vilven, Salt Lake City, Utah; and great grandchildren: Zoë and Audra MacDicken and Elias Vilven.  She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Wanda Vilven, Albuquerque, New Mexico.  Dorothy is preceded in death by her daughter Marsha and husband Wallace.  She was the last surviving sibling of Juanita Chrest, Jim Peddicord, and Ann Bahner, all who reached well into their nineties.

Her ashes will be returned to Wamego, Kansas for internment at a graveside service and memorial.  The family would like to thank the staff at One Care Hospice for their helping hand.