Vivian Ruth (Babcock) Singer went to her heavenly home on Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2016, at her home. She was born Nov. 22, 1924, in Hominy, Okla., to Rolland and Elizabeth (Free) Babcock. She attended school in Oklahoma until her parents moved to Iola to run the Western Auto Store in 1936. She graduated from Iola High School in 1941, and attended Iola Junior College for one semester, while working in her father’s store.
On March 24, 1946, she married Lawrence L. Singer at her parents’ home at 522 N. Washington in Iola. Lawrence and Vivian made their home on a farm near Savonburg, and raised their four children there.
Lawrence died on Dec. 20, 1971. Vivian had worked as a postal clerk in Savonburg, and became postmaster there in the early 1970s. She later transferred to the post office in Chetopa where she served as postmaster until her retirement. She moved back to Iola in 1986.
Vivian was active in NARFE, and also served as an Allen County Hospital volunteer installing Lifelines for many years, being named Volunteer of the Year in 2001. She was active in the First Christian Church and was an avid quilter. She was also known for her delicious homemade cinnamon rolls.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence, in 1971; and her son, Kenneth, in 1989; as well as her parents and three siblings, Mildred Jantzen, Rolland Babcock Jr. and Elizabeth McCoy. She is survived by her daughter, Linda K. Singer and partner Forest NewHeart, Kansas City, Mo.; sons, Dr. Glen (Dee) Singer, Iola, Col. (Ret.) Nolan (Kathy) Singer, Midwest City, Okla., and daughter-in-law, Carla Singer, Miami, Okla.; grandchildren, Ruth (Rob) Runyan, Overland Park, Larry (Marta) Singer, American Canyon, Calif., Sarah Singer, Springfield, Mo., Andrea (Garett) Prevo, Republic, Mo., Amber (Joel) Pickard, Moore, Okla., Kasia (Lt. Col. Erick) Gilbert, Yorktown, Va., Krista (Rocky) Rowlett, Baldwin City, and Kurtis (Becca) Singer, Stillwater, Okla.; and 18 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be at the First Christian Church in Iola at 1 p.m. Saturday. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the church. Memorials are suggested to the Southeast Kansas Christian Artist Series, and can be left at the Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Memorial Chapel in Iola, or mailed to P.O. Box 514, Iola, KS 66749. Burial will be in the Moran Cemetery.
To leave a condolence, go to www.iolafuneral.com.
Vivian Singer
