Viva Cluff Whetten

Viva Cluff Whetten passed away peacefully at her home in Mesa, AZ on September 24, 2024. Viva was born on December 24, 1924, so she lived to be exactly 99 years and 9 months old.
Viva was the eighth and last living of eleven children born to Heber and Amanda Cluff. She was born in Colonia Pacheco, Chihuahua, Mexico. She met her husband, Carl, in high school in Colonia Juarez. They married in 1945 and became the parents of nine children, seven sons and two daughters. She was a truly devoted wife and mother and frugally cared for her family.
She made all her daughters' dresses and always had homemade bread and a pot of beans on hand to feed her family. She was a believer in healthy eating and grew a garden to supply fresh vegetables for her table. She always used her food storage and taught others how to use theirs as well. Viva loved family history and wrote ten family history books about her family and ancestors.
The last ten years of her life, she spent hours each day indexing names for FamilySearch. Among her family's prized possessions are the beautiful handmade quilts she made for her children and grandchildren. With scraps of material she had been given, she pieced and tied over 100 quilts for humanitarian aid. Viva also loved to paint. She painted an eagle for each grandson who achieved the honor of Eagle Scout. She also painted beautiful pictures of homes and places she remembered as a child. Viva was an avid scouter. She helped many young men receive the rank of Eagle Scout and then gave them a memorable Court of Honor to receive that award. She planned and helped to carry out numerous day camps. Because of her valuable service in scouting, she was awarded the Silver Beaver Award. She loved her Savior, Jesus Christ and used every opportunity to teach her posterity to love Him as well. She was unwavering in her beliefs and in her values of right and wrong.
Viva is survived by her husband of 79 years, E. Carling Whetten, and by her children, Kenny (Pam), LeRoy (Irene), Clarence (LeeAnn), Annette Haws (Kayle), Rex (Dorothy), Amanda Schoof (Larry), Ross (Susan) and Andrew (Jennifer). Besides Viva's nine children, she has 49 grandchildren, 92 great-grandchildren, and 9 great, great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her son Dorel (but we still have Janet), one grandchild, one great-grandchild, her parents, and all of her siblings. What a happy reunion she is having!
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, October 3, 2024, at the Fiesta Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 616 S. Extension Rd., Mesa, AZ. There will be a viewing at 9:00 a.m. followed by the funeral services at 10:00 a.m.
Those not able to attend may watch the service on Zoom at: https://zoom.us/j/93617885319?pwd=dXlZV2grZ3YyOCswQ3gzSEZrYkFIZz09
Meeting ID: 936 1788 5319
Passcode: 414421
Arrangements by Bunker's Garden Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.